Man City showed interest in £40m-rated Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar (L'Equipe)

Manchester City reportedly monitored the situation of £40-million rated Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar during the summer transfer window.

Aouar has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in football at Lyon and he had previously attracted interest from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola's reigning champions were linked with a move for the 21-year-old French playmaker at the end of 2018.

And according to French publication L'Equipe, City showed interest in Aouar once again in the summer window just gone.

However, both the player and Lyon decided against a move away but Aouar has since struggled to find his best form during the new Ligue 1 campaign.

It is reported that he is one of the players 'shaken' by Bruno Genesio's departure as manager and the recent arrival of Sylvinho.

Last season, Aouar conjured up seven goals and eight assists in 37 Ligue 1 fixtures and Lyon will be desperate for him to rediscover his best football immediately.

City won't lose too much sleep after missing out on the young Frenchman after remarkably putting eight past Watford in the Premier League on Saturday at the Etihad.

Guardiola doesn't remain short of midfield options and his City side have unlocked opponent defences 24 times already in six Premier League games so far this season.