Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that Arsenal made a “very nice” bid for goal-machine Alexandre Lacazette, according to a report in The Independent.
The newspaper claim that boss Arsene Wenger made an offer for the 26-year-old striker, however the French club are adamant that the Frenchman will stay put.
Earlier reports from Le10 suggested that the Gunners had progressed with Lacazette and that the Lyon president had offered a possible move for the 26-year-old in return for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, however those reports seem to have been overtaken.
The French international was initially set to make a move to Atletico, however after the club’s transfer ban was upheld it gave Arsenal the chance to swoop in a make an offer.
The Independent state that Aulas said: “We had negotiations with Atletico. Things did not work out. We now have a very nice offer from Arsenal. But for us he will not leave.”
It is said that Arsenal have chased Lacazette in previous seasons, but have always failed to make a deal, however Wenger looks more likely to spend after he extended his managerial contract earlier this the month.
Wenger will look to strengthen his attacking prowess for the club’s 2017/18 campaign particularly as Alexis Sanchez’ future with the north London club remains uncertain.
Lacazette would be the perfect replacement for the Chilean as he would bring with him his incredible goal-scoring record, as last season the Frenchman was the second highest scorer in the Ligue 1 competition.
During his Ligue 1 2016/17 campaign, the 26-year-old scored an impressive 28 goals in just 30 games, meaning that the star averaged a goal every 86 minutes.
It was also reported in the Independent that Aulus would not stand in the way of a Lacazette move if it was to a club that was “in his heart”, suggesting that he’s not overly keen on a move to north London.
The French international has expressed a desire to play in the Champions League, a competition which Wenger cannot offer to the goal-machine, owing to Arsenal’s disappointing fifth place Premier League finish.