Alexander Lacazette has been on Arsenal’s radar for a long time and according L’Equipe, Arsene Wenger’s side are winning the race to sign the 26-year-old.

Seen as the most advanced club in terms of negotiations, Arsenal’s interest is far more urgent than previous seasons and, as a result, the Ligue 1 side are likely to negotiate a transfer fee for the heavily-linked forward.

It initially appeared as though Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas had confirmed that Arsenal had made an improved offer for striker Alexandre Lacazette.

However, Aulas’s quickly denied making any of the comments that were being reported in the media.

By then it was too late. The made-up quotes spread quickly and ended up appearing across England’s media outlets. Few, if any, have issued corrections.

Aulas was quoted as saying: “Lacazette was told he could leave. 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.”

He admitted that he wouldn’t stand in the attacker’s way if a club was interested and it was in his desire to depart, but Lyon and Aulas are still keen to retain Lacazette if possible.

Atlético Madrid’s transfer ban played a pivotal role in seeing a proposed move break down, whilst no other club has emerged – bar Liverpool – that you could argue might persuade the Frenchman to join the Premier League.