Arsenal Ends Houssem Aouar Romance, Signs Takehiro Tomiyasu,

KEY POINTS

Arsenal did not pursue Lyon's Houssem Aouar in the final hours of the transfer window
Aouar's other suitors didn't make a move for the midfielder as well
The Gunners sealed a deal for Bologna's Takehiro Tomiyasu instead

Arsenal will be moving on from Houssem Aouar once again.

The Gunners ended the transfer window without landing their longtime top target Aouar from Lyon.

Aouar’s transfer romance with Arsenal dates back to the summer of last year, but it is safe to say that Mikel Arteta’s side has finally given up on the Frenchman.

According to reputable transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal has put Aouar aside in the “final hours” of the transfer window and “only focused” on Bologna’s Takehiro Tomiyasu.

“Arsenal is not interested in signing Houssem Aouar in these final hours,” Romano tweeted. “There are currently no talks with OL [Lyon] for Aouar. ”

“Arsenal is only focused on [Takehiro] Tomiyasu deal to be announced [medical today] & outgoings, as Bellerin to Real Betis still to be resolved."

The famed journalist also provided an update on Aouar’s other reported suitors such as Real Madrid and Tottenham.

Per Romano, there had been “no” interest from the aforementioned clubs and the midfielder is likely to stay with the Ligue 1 side this season.

“No Arsenal, no Real Madrid, no answers from Tottenham,” he wrote. “Houssem Aouar situation is basically the same. No agreement and he’s expected to stay at Olympique Lyon.”

An earlier report said that if a transfer isn’t plausible, then the Gunners will be open for a potential loan deal for Aouar.

However, Lyon is more interested in selling the player for around £21 million ($29 million.)

The 23-year-old drew the attention of a wide array of big-name clubs by being a consistent performer for Lyon since 2017.

Despite being heavily linked to a move away from Lyon, Aouar had insisted that all of it is just “fake news.”

“Once again, unfortunately, an umpteenth ‘fake news’ story has been released about me on multiple social media accounts,” Aouar said in a statement. “I'm not in the habit of responding to what is said about me...[but I was] sick, I was hospitalized over the weekend. Know that I am a lot better and that I am ready for the future!"

“Thank you to those who have always supported me, in the good times as in the less good times. Allez Lyon.”

Houssem Aouar in action against Bayern Munich. He is one of those players who could well now be sold by a Lyon side deprived of Champions League football in the new season POOL / Miguel A. Lopes

Tomiyasu, on the other hand, has officially joined Arsenal from Bologna, the club announced on Tuesday.

Delighted with the defender’s signing, Arteta is looking forward to a productive season with the Tomiyasu.

“Takehiro is a strong defender with good experience in Serie A and at the international level,” Arteta said in a statement. “He’s a versatile defender with great defensive qualities, high technical ability, and composure on the ball. He will be an important member of our squad. We look forward to Takehiro joining up with us when he returns from international duty.”