Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Nimes Olympique v Olympique Lyonnais - Stade des Costieres, Nimes, France - December 6, 2019 Olympique Lyonnais' Houssem Aouar celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier
Nottingham Forest are ‘really close’ to signing Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, according to reliable football journalist Rudy Galetti.
The lowdown: Wanted man
Previously, Aouar has attracted interest from the likes of Premier League powerhouses Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United as well as European royalty in Barcelona and Real Madrid.
However, the 24-year-old France international has remained a one-club man for his hometown outfit and has so far amassed 216 outings for Lyon, directly contributing to 75 goals in the process.
After growing speculation linked Forest to Aouar, a fresh claim has emerged suggesting that a move could finally be on the cards…
The latest: ‘Really close…’
Taking to Twitter, Galetti – who works for SportItalia – claims that the move for the one-cap France ace was now ‘really close’ to being completed.
He stated: “Houssem Aouar is really close to becoming a new NottinghamForest player. Agreement already reached with OL, just the final details to be discussed with the player’s entourage. Developments are expected very soon.”
The verdict: Huge statement
Whilst much of the already finalised transfer business conducted this summer should be heralded, as should the ongoing pursuit of Neal Maupay, singing a player as coveted as Aouar would top the lot from the City Ground hierarchy.
Last season, the cultured Frenchman – who ‘oozes class’ according to The Athletic Soccer podcast host Jack Collins – scored six times and provided four assists in 36 Ligue 1 outings, earning a 6.90 Sofascore rating whilst winning 4.5 duels, successfully completing 1.9 dribbles and making 1.1 key passes on average per game.
Holding an estimated market value of £22.5million and in the final 12 months of a deal in France (Transfermarkt), this is a deal that shouldn’t cost the Earth for the Reds as the Forest wage budget should also be able to accommodate a small pay-rise on Aouar’s current £62,000-a-week salary.
Sharing a stylistic likeness with renowned stars such as Luis Diaz, Leroy Sane and Raphinha (FBref), adding the ready-made star to Steve Cooper’s ranks should have an instant impact on the side moving forwards.
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