Arsenal made one solid offer for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, it has been revealed.

AS also reports the Gunners signed Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid as a direct alternative to the France international.

Arsenal made their bid to Lyon in the final ten days of the summer market and after it was rejected, refused to up their proposal.

While maintaining contact with Lyon, Arsenal opened talks with Partey and his management team, reaching agreement over personal terms ahead of matching his buyout clause in the early hours of deadline day Monday last week.

Arsenal paid €45m to take Partey away from Atletico just hours before the summer transfer closed.