Houssem Aouar denies that his current absence from pre-season training is part of a plan to leave the club, insisting he is unwell.

Writing on Monday, GFFN claimed that contrary to the official reports coming out of Olympique Lyonnais, Houssem Aouar wasn’t absent from training with illness, but because he’s attempting to engineer a move away from the club.

They added that the player turned up on July 1st, met with manager Peter Bosz, then disappeared for the next five days.

The outlet suggested Aouar was unhappy with Memphis Depay’s departure, and he’s looking to move on. This is obviously relevant to Arsenal after they pushed to sign him last summer, and whilst they still have a need for a creative midfielder.

But Aouar claims it isn’t true. Writing on his Twitter account, he called the reports “fake news”.

“Once again, unfortunately, another piece of ‘fake news’ has been released about me on social media,” Aouar said. “I’m not in the habit of answering what is said about me, but…

“I’m sick, I was hospitalized during the weekend. Know that I am much better and that I am ready for the future. Thank you to those who have always supported me, in good times as in bad times. Come on Lyon!”

In any event, it looks unlikely Aouar will join Arsenal this summer. His reservations over the transfer in 2020 were predicated on the fact that the Gunners didn’t have Champions League football, and now they don’t have any European football at all.