Transfer Centre

Lyon chief rules out Matteo Guendouzi, Houssem Aouar swap

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 08 September 2020

Lyon sporting director Juninho reveals that the French outfit rejected the chance to sign Matteo Guendouzi from Arsenal, who are said to be interested in Houssem Aouar.

Lyon legend and sporting director Juninho Pernambucano has revealed that the Ligue 1 giants rejected the chance to sign Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi as part of a deal for Houssem Aouar.

Guendouzi is expected to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer after being dropped from Mikel Arteta's side following disciplinary issues.

The Gunners have supposedly identified £45m-rated Aouar as an ideal signing ahead of the new Premier League season, but Lyon are not willing to accept Guendouzi as part of a deal.

Speaking to French radio station Top of the Foot, Juninho said: "I get on very well with Edu, we spoke on the phone. Aouar is really appreciated by Mikel Arteta.

"Guendouzi was discussed during the call, he is a great player, but he is the wrong profile. We are not interested in that at all, we cut the conversation."

Arsenal have already added Brazilian duo Willian and Gabriel Magalhaes to the ranks at the Emirates Stadium this summer, with Arteta's men set to kick off the 2020-21 Premier League campaign against Fulham on Saturday lunchtime.