According to reports from ESPN this morning, France international Alexandre Lacazette finds himself amid an ongoing contract dispute at Lyon.
The 24 year-old has just come to the end of an incredible campaign with Les Gones, netting 31 times in 38 appearances across all competitions. Only Ballon d’Or duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi bettered his league haul of 27, which saw the winger-forward win Ligue 1’s Player of the Year award and claim a second consecutive slot in the division’s Team of the Year.
Liverpool and Manchester United have both been hot on Lacazette’s heels despite Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulus valuing him at in excess of €50million, as This Is Futbol revealed in May.
The majority of speculation thus far has suggested the eight-cap international will stay at Stade de Gerland for next season, but Lacazette’s recent contract dispute could give his Premier League suitors a way in.
According to ESPN, the potent forward has demanded a salary between €5.5million and €6million per year as reward for his intrinsic role in Lyon finishing second in Ligue 1 and qualifying for the Champions League, but the club’s hierarchy have publicly claimed they’ll up his wages to only €4million per-year – and later revealed it will in fact be €3.8million plus incentives.
Agent David Venditelli recently told French publication Le Progres of his disappointment, claiming the club have made different offers privately and publicly; “The figures divulged do not match those at the meeting that took place this week.
“I don’t understand because the president announced on Friday morning that the salary was a minimum of €4 million. Do you think what the club is saying and their position on the numbers has been coherent in recent days?
“Ultimatums and media pressure won’t change our demands, which OL are aware of,” he added.
Whether Lacazette’s contract dispute convinces Liverpool or Manchester United to revive their interest remains to be seen.