Atletico Madrid are targeting Alexandre Lacazette to replace Antoine Griezmann this summer, according to reports in Spain.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Spanish outlet AS report that the Frenchman is Atletico’s main target for the coming season, and they’re looking to avoid a repeat of the 2017 summer when they had an agreement with the striker only for FIFA sanctions to prevent them completing a deal.

Spanish radio station Cadena SER also report that Atletico have their eyes on Lacazette ahead of the summer, as they are attracted to a player of his profile.

On the other side of things, Diego Simeone has suggested that Atletico won’t go looking for a superstar to replace Griezmann. According to the head coach, they’ll try to invest in a future prospect as they did when signing Griezmann himself.

https://twitter.com/elchiringuitotv/status/1129336511311306753

From an Arsenal point of view, it shouldn’t matter whether Atletico want to sign Lacazette or not. The player has another three years on his contract and he’s been crucial to the side this season. There’s no reason to accept a bid from Madrid unless it reaches ridiculous levels, and based on Simeone’s comments, that’s not going to happen.