Houssem Aouar’s performances at Lyon have seen him heavily linked with Liverpool, but the teenager is ignoring the rumours for now.
The 19-year-old midfielder is a product of a famed academy system at the Ligue 1 outfit and is being tipped to tread a similar path to the likes of Karim Benzema, Alexandre Lacazette and Samuel Umtiti.
He openly admits to harbouring ambitions of one day gracing the grandest stages in football.
Liverpool may be prepared to offer him a Premier League platform on which to perform before too long, but Aouar is reluctant to be drawn on speculation which amounts to little more than gossip at present.
He told France Football on the transfer talk raging around him: “I hear the rumours, like you. I have ears!
“I have eyes too, to see a few things left and right. The guy who says he doesn’t hear stuff or listen to anything, is not telling the truth. But there’s nothing you can do. All of that doesn’t bother me.
“I’m well protected with my family. It’s nice to hear, but I’m not getting carried away. My feet are firmly on the ground. I’ve only got a good half-season behind me, and I have everything to develop at Lyon.”
Aouar, who only made his senior debut for Lyon in February 2017, believes his ongoing development is best served in France for now.
He has, however, become a first-team regular this season – making 30 appearances across all competitions and netting five goals – and interest in his services is expected to build.
Barcelona, where Umtiti is currently gracing the books, have been mentioned as another potential suitor.
Aouar concedes that it would be a dream to one day secure a switch a Camp Nou, adding on his future: “Of course, but that applies to every great club! It’s normal to be ambitious at 19.”
Those ambitions must wait for now, though, with Lyon requiring full focus on the present from every member of their squad as they continue to chase down a top-three finish in Ligue 1 and continental glory in the Europa League.