Transfer Centre

Lyon youngster Houssem Aouar: 'Barcelona talk does not bother me'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 07 March 2018

Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar says that there is 'nothing he can do' to stop rumours linking him with Barcelona, as he vows to keep his feet firmly on the ground.

Houssem Aouar has revealed that he has ambitions to one day play for Barcelona, but is 'not bothered' by the current talk surrounding his Lyon future.

The Catalan giants were recently credited with showing an interest in the 19-year-old, who has been a regular in the French top flight this term.

Aouar has five goals and four assists in 34 appearances for Lyon, sparking the rumoured glances from Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window.

Asked about the speculation, though, the France Under-21s international vowed to not get carried away at an early stage in his career.

"I hear the rumours, like you. I have ears!" he told France Football. "I have eyes, too, to see a few things left and right. The guy who says he doesn't hear stuff or listen to anything, is not telling the truth. But there's nothing you can do. All of that doesn't bother me.

"I'm well protected with my family. It's nice to hear, but I'm not getting carried away. My feet are firmly on the ground. I've only got a good half-season behind me, and I have everything to develop at Lyon.

"Would I like to play for Barca? Of course, but that applies to every great club. It's normal to be ambitious at 19."

Barcelona are said to have recently dropped their interest in Aouar's teammate Nabil Fekir.