Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has issued a hands off warning over his star midfielder Nabil Fekir, who has been attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal in recent weeks.
Reports have suggested that the north London club are set to make a move for the talented 21 year old in the January transfer window.
However, Aulas is insistent that Fekir is not available to any club.
In fact, the president rates him to the extent that he has compared him to Barcelona star Lionel Messi, considered by many to be the greatest player of all time.
Arsenal require recruitments in January, having struggled since the start of the season.
Their midfield has also been impacted by injury, with the likes of Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere both spending extended spells on the sidelines.
Ozil is not expected to return until after the new year. His form towards the start of the season was not particularly good either, with many questioning his role in the side.
Aulas does not see Fekir as a likely replacement, however, and said: “He will remain with us.
“He can become a very good footballer in the next two to three years.
“Though the comparison is not right, Fekir is our own [Lionel] Messi.”
