Arsenal aren’t giving any indications they plan to go back for Houssem Aouar in the January transfer window, according to reports.

Lyon's forward Houssem Aouar celebrates after scoring a goal from the penalty-kick during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and AS Monaco at the Groupama stadium in Decines-Charpieu, near Lyon, south-eastern France, on October 25, 2020. (Photo by PHILIPPE DESMAZES / AFP)
Lyon’s forward Houssem Aouar celebrates after scoring a goal from the penalty-kick on October 25, 2020. (Photo by PHILIPPE DESMAZES / AFP)

The Athletic write that as it stands, Arsenal aren’t likely to go back for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar in the January transfer window.

The club haven’t given any indications that they plan to restart their pursuit of the player, with just a few days to go until the window opens. Instead, they’re prioritising other targets now.

Previous reports suggested Arsenal remained in contact with Aouar’s camp ahead of the winter window. TheAFCBell even claimed they’d sent ‘clear signals’ to the player and his family that Mikel Arteta intends to make him the core of his team.

However, it looks like the transfer is becoming less and less probable as January edges closer.

L’Equipe reported earlier this month that Aouar could leave Lyon before the summer window, but Arsenal aren’t his only suitors. Juventus are actually the more strongly-linked club at the moment, as they reportedly almost had a deal for him in the summer.

Lyon recently dropped Aouar from a matchday squad for disciplinary reasons. The player had refused to take part in the post-match warm-down session after a fixture against Angers, but he insists that was just a misunderstanding.

“I’ll be at Lyon until next summer, at least,” the midfielder said afterwards. “I do not see how I could be unhappy in my city, in my club. That is something that I do not understand.

“I am very happy to be here, I took the decision to stay with the club that formed me, I savour every day I have here.”

The 22-year-old midfielder now has three goals and three assists in 13 appearances this season.