According to reports from France, Arsenal will beat the competition to Alexandre Lacazette’s signature. The Lyon striker will move to the Emirates and be the first major signing from Arsenal’s transfer target list. Sources have stated the deal is set to be completed next week and Lacazette’s move will top the previous club record transfer fee paid for Mesut Ozil.
Lacazette is being valued at £52.6 million by Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, but it is being reported that Arsenal will pay a slightly smaller fee that will include add-ons and bonuses.
Lacazette has made it known he wants to leave the French club, and Lyon are now ready to cash-in on the player. Speaking to AFP, Aulas talked about the player’s pending move.
“Alexandre should have left for Atletico [Madrid], but that could not be done, he wants to leave and we want to keep him, but the decision is not made and recent offers have confirmed his wishes,” Aulas said.
The 26-year-old tallied 28 goals in 30 games with Lyon last season. Lacazette has been at Lyon since 2010 when he was promoted to the senior side from the club’s youth team. In 203 matches, Lacazette scored 100 goals.
Lacazette’s move is expected to trigger the sale of Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud. West Ham, Marseille and Lyon have all been interested in adding Giroud.
Alexandre Lacazette 2016-17 key stats:
- 28 goals in 30 Ligue 1 matches
- 2.8 shots per game in 30 Ligue 1 matches
- 1.7 key passes per game in 30 Ligue 1 matches