‘He could play for any team’ – Tuchel drops PSG hint for Arsenal target Aouar

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:09 BST
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Thomas Tuchel has suggested that Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar is of sufficient quality to play for his side.

The Parisians have been linked with Aouar in the past, but it is Arsenal who have been more closely associated with the France midfielder.

Indeed, the Gunners came close to signing him in the summer but were unable to meet the asking price of Lyon.

Now Aouar forms part of a Lyon side that is challenging PSG at the summit of the Ligue 1 standings.

Houssem Aouar snapshot:

The clubs will face off on Sunday at Parc des Princes, and Tuchel is wary of the 22-year-old.

Asked if Aouar could play for PSG, he replied: “He can play for any team in the world.

“Aouar is a key player for OL and an important player for France. He’s very talented. He’s young and very strong, he’s decisive for Lyon.

“You know that we have a lot of respect for clubs and players, so we’re not going to talk a transfer.”

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Meanwhile, Tuchel also spoke of the offensive qualities of the visiting Lyon side, who are likely to deploy Memphis Depay, Karl Toko-Ekambi and Tino Kadewere in attack as long as the Dutchman can shake off a muscular worry.

“They have a lot of ability, so we have to be tight,” he said. “The best thing we can do is have the ball.

“Depay likes to look for open spaces with a lot of quality and creativity. Lyon have a lot of individual qualities going forward. They play smoothly and offensively.”

As well as Aouar, Memphis and Moussa Dembele are set to be big sources of discussion ahead of the January transfer window.

Lyon, however, have indicated that they do not envisage selling any of their stars as they seek to push back into the Champions League next term.