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Lacazette to Arsenal: Lyon president confirms desire to leave, Atletico were first choice
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE is determined to quit Lyon, club president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed.
Mikael Silvestre: Lacazette would be IDEAL for Gunners
Arsenal are frontrunners to sign the striker but are yet to agree a fee.
Despite the Gunners failing to qualify for the Champions League, Lacazette is edging towards a move to the Emirates.
However, Atletico Madrid were his most likely destination up until their transfer ban put an end to a summer switch.
Aulas revealed Lacazette was supposed to be on his way to the La Liga club, but joining Diego Simeone's side would mean having to wait until January.
Arsene Wenger is now said to be focusing his efforts on landing the France international ahead of dream target Kylian Mbappe.
Alexandre Lacazette is looking to quit Lyon this summer with Arsenal closing on a deal
Alexandre should have left for Atletico, but that could not be done
Securing Monaco's teenage sensation is deemed difficult, but Lacazette is still obtainable.
A figure in excess of £50million is being sought by Lyon.
Although Aulas is looking to bring in a striker of equal quality to replace their top goalscorer before offloading him.
“Alexandre should have left for Atletico, but that could not be done,” Aulas told AFP.
“He wants to leave and we want to keep him, but the decision is not made.
“The case would obviously be the arrival of a player capable of scoring 25 to 30 goals per year.
"It will be a French international or a player of a very large European club.”
Lyon have already signed Bertrand Traore from Chelsea, but more firepower is desired.
Arsenal, meanwhile, could subsequently allow Olivier Giroud to leave the club should they bring in Lacazette, with West Ham keen to take him across London.
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