Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has eased talk of a move to Arsenal this summer.

He has been a long-time target of Mikel Arteta and was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates last summer.

Reports had suggested that the 23-year-old was Arteta's top priority last summer, before ultimately switching to Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.

Fans were sent into a frenzy on Friday after an Instagram story appeared to show his brother and agent in London.

That speculation was wide of the mark however, with Aouar confirming he was a close friend not his agent.

“Guys leave him. He is one of my best friends not my real brother," he posted. “By the way… not my agent also."