Arsenal supporters have taken to social media after noticing a social media post from Lyon forward Memphis Depay.
The Gunners are desperate to add a creative central midfielder before the summer transfer window closes next week, with Lyon's Houssem Aouar the club's number one target.
An opening bid for the Lyon captain was rejected over the weekend, but football.london understands Arsenal are preparing a second offer of £36.5million (€40million) with a further £9million in potential add-ons (€10million).
Club president Jean-Michel Aulas revealed that that an offer of £32million (€35million) had been turned down but it is thought Arsenal will not be deterred.
Aulas has set a deadline of Friday for all potential Lyon departures and admitted that Aouar could be among them if a club meets the midfielder's asking price.
"We know that three big clubs are interested in him. Two in the short-term, one in the long-term," he said.
"Not much has happened. All the clubs can’t give us financially what Lyon wants.”
Some Arsenal supporters, however, have spotted what they believe to be a clue that Aouar's departure is imminent.
On Depay's Instagram account, the Lyon forward re-shared Aouar's picture of the pair together in training, and added the caption: "Love you bro."
Eagle-eyed fans took to Twitter with theories that the post could be a farewell message to Aouar.
One supporter wrote: "Memphis Depay includes a broken heart in his message to Houssem Aouar. Is this a goodbye?"
Another posted: "Is Depay trying to tell us something?"
On the pitch, Arsenal's winning start to the season was ended by champions Liverpool after a 3-1 victory for the Reds at Anfield on Monday night.
Goals from Sadio Mane, Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota sealed the win for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Speaking after the game, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was asked about whether his side would be adding additional players before the window shuts.
"Well we are trying to improve the team," Arteta told Sky Sports. "There's a week to go, there's a lot of things happening in and out.
"We don't have any news on new players and either with players that might leave the football club.
"It's a week to go, I think it's going to be really busy for other clubs because not much business has been done. Let's see what happens."
