Houssem Aouar to play for Algeria?

by Staff Reporter

Friday Dec 14, 2018. 16:00

According to reports in Algeria, Olympique Lyon ace Houssem Aouar will consider switching his allegiance to the North African country.

The 20-year-old, who was born in Lyon, has attracted strong interest from several English Premier League clubs in recent months with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City linked with a move for the midfielder.

Aouar has represented France at youth level, but according to reports he will consider representing Algeria at international level following a talk with former Lyon and current Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Benzema, like Aouar is of Algerian descent. In fact, many of Algeria's current national team members were born in France including City wing-wizard Riyad Mahrez.

Aouar faced Mahrez in the group stages of the Uefa Champions League with the French Ligue 1 outfit claiming a notable 2-1 win at the Etihad in the first round of fixtures. Nabil Fekir, who is also of Algerian descent scored the winner.

The victory was followed by five successive draws as the club ultimately booked their place in the Round of 16.

Aouar has made 71 appearances for Lyon since breaking into the first team as a teenager. He has scored 13 goals, assisting a further 10.