Arsenal's summer pursuit of Houssem Aouar reportedly collapsed after Lyon demanded more than the Gunners' ceiling price for the midfielder.
Aouar was manager Mikel Arteta's top target for much of the recent window and the Spaniard remains interested in him as he looks to add another creative midfielder to his ranks.
However, no move materialised and Arsenal instead bolstered their midfield options with the £45m deadline-day acquisition of Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.
L'Equipe now reports that Arsenal did not sign Aouar because they refused to budge on the top-end value that they had placed on the 22-year-old.
The Premier League outfit are understood to have seen a £35m bid quickly rejected by Lyon, whose asking price was higher than Arsenal were willing to pay.
Arsenal are reportedly ready to revive their interest in January, although Italian champions Juventus are now thought to be leading the race for Aouar's signature.
Barney Corkhill
