Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has revealed that the French club did not even consider Arsenal's latest "timid" offer for their in-demand star Houssem Aouar.
Speculation has mounted in recent weeks suggesting the Gunners will make a move for the French midfielder, who impressed in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League last season.
But Lyon are said to be holding out for a fee of around £55m, with Arsenal currently not willing to go above £32m.
And with the summer transfer window slamming shut next Monday, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta is running out of time to land his No.1 target.
However, it seems that Arsenal will have to fork out and meet Lyon's demands if they want to bring Aouar to the Emirates.
Asked whether Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit, Aulas told Canal+: "There was a timid offer. We felt like they didn’t consider the fact that this is a player in the French national team.
"So, it was an offer that did not even make us consider making a sale.”
And when asked whether a figure of €40m or €50m would be enough for Lyon to part ways with their prized asset, Aulas added: “It is certainly more than the first number that you mentioned."
The Lyon chief's latest comments come after he told Arsenal they must sign Aouar by Friday or the deal is off.
"We will tell the players that whatever will not be settled in terms of departures before Friday, there will be no more departures," Aulas said.
"So for us the [closing] date of the transfer window will be Friday. I think I will propose it tomorrow (Tuesday) to Rudi Garcia and Juninho, because it's understandable.
"And all people of goodwill can see that there is something wrong (with the results of the team). It can be because of that but it can also be a lot of other things.
"In any case, from Friday, the players who have not left will not leave."
