by Lewis Ambrose

Lyon star Alexandre Lacazette is one of the hottest young forwards in Europe having netted 27 Ligue 1 goals last season.

Arsenal and Manchester City have been heavily linked with the Frenchman, and Lyon coach Hubert Fournier has admitted he could leave the club this summer.

“He is still under contract and the club is the decision maker,” said Fournier.

“At no time have I felt a request to leave from him. 

“Things can still change. It is early July. The sooner it is resolved, the better it will be for everyone.”

Lacazette has already ruled out a move to Liverpool, insisting that he would only leave Lyon for Champions League football elsewhere. He top scored in Ligue 1 last season and, at 24 years old, has his best years ahead of him.

“I have not made my decision,” the striker has admitted.

“I will go on holiday, leave my agent to discuss things, for him to look after all that. 

“I am not worried. As soon as I have decided, I want it all to happen quickly. Everything depends on the destination. It would have to be for a Champions League club.”

The stats may overrate the forward and there is no evidence he would be an upgrade on what Arsenal already have with rapid forwards Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott.

Despite scoring 27 goals in 33 Ligue 1 games last season, eight came from the penalty spot. Lacazette’s form dipped after December and – though he netted 10 goals in 13 games – it was the five goals from the penalty spot in that period that continued to make his season look more impressive than it actually was.

He certainly has a huge amount of talent, but it is more than noteworthy that such a high proportion of his goals weren’t from open play.