Arsenal are in advanced talks over a move for Olympique Lyonnais striker Alexandre Lacazette after they submitted a £44million bid, according to RMC Sport.
The French sports news broadcaster claim on their website that the Gunners’ multi-million pound offer meets the expectations of the French side and their president Jean-Michel Aulas, and say that discussions are ongoing over the 26-year-old’s potential move.
The report also says that a source close to Arsenal said the deal should be finished early next week.
The news comes less than a week after the Telegraph had reported that the North London side had seen a £30million offer rejected for Lacazette, and that Lyon were looking for in excess of £50million.
Lacazette was one of three names that the Mirror named as Arsene Wenger’s top targets this summer, alongside Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe and Thomas Lemar, and it appears that the French manager is close to making his first breakthrough in this summer’s transfer window.
The 11-time-capped France international has enjoyed a profitable last couple of seasons with Lyon, having hit over 20 league goals in each of his last three campaigns.
Last season saw him hit his finest form, scoring at a rate of nearly a goal a game as he struck 28 goals in 30 league appearances, and 37 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions.
A move to Arsenal would signal a departure from a club Lacazette has spent his entire career at, having made 275 appearances for Lyon, scoring 129 goals.