Arsenal’s hopes of signing Alexandre Lacazette have been boosted after Atletico’s Madrid transfer ban was upheld.

• Lacazette had been set to join Atletico Madrid, but move is in doubt after transfer ban upheld
• Lacazette is a long-time target
• Could be a more realistic option than Mbappe

Atletico Madrid were set to sign the Lyon striker but their appeal to overturn a transfer ban was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The ban means Atletico are unable to register players until the January window in 2018. The signing of Lacazette could still go through, however he’d have to spend the first half of the season not playing.

With a World Cup coming next summer, Lacazette will be reluctant to say yes to anything other than regular football somewhere. This means Arsenal could still swoop in and sign the player.

Lyon are asking for £52.3m and Lacazette himself said he would only move to the club playing in the Champions League.

Neither these things have put Arsenal off, say the Evening Standard, and they’re prepared to finally sign the player.

Lacazette’s name has come up every transfer window for the last three years, and it seemed clear that Arsenal just didn’t want the player despite the links.

However, that could change after the club’s offer for Kylian Mbappe was rejected by Monaco. Lacazette would be seen as a cheaper alternative while still being able to bring pace and quality finishing to Arsenal’s frontline.