Lyon will cash in on Manchester City and Juventus target

Lyon will reluctantly cash in on top French talent Houssem Aouar this summer, claims L'Equipe.

Aouar still has three years left to run on his current Lyon deal but the €50m-rated (£44m) midfielder but is now expected to take the next step in his career.

Lyon are facing the damaging prospect of no European football next season after Ligue 1's decision to curtail the 2019/20 campaign.

The French outfit have concluded the season in seventh place as a result and their president, Jean-Michel Aulas, is threatening to sue Ligue 1 as a result.

Lyon will now have to win this season's Champions League in order to qualify for the 2020/21 edition or risk losing a number of their star players in the summer. 

Aulas already fears rival European clubs bidding for Memphis Depay and now Manchester City and Juventus target Aouar is also free to leave.

The 21-year-old is billed as the next generation of French talent currently emerging and enjoyed another progressive campaign this term.

Aouar played a direct hand in seven goals in 25 league appearances for Lyon and has one goal and three assists in five Champions League outings in 2019/20.