European football expert Julien Laurens revealed Arsenal are planning on signing Olympique Lyonnais striker Alexandre Lacazette this summer, but have made little in the way of progress so far.
Arsenal have Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck as options in attack next season, but the Daily Star believe the Londoners to be in the market for the French international – an opinion shared by Laurens.
“(Lacazette) is the priority,” he said on ESPN FC.
With 28 goals in as many Ligue 1 starts last season, it’s not hard to see why Arsenal are keen on the 26-year-old. He won’t come cheap, however, with Lyon reportedly wanting around £80m for the coveted centre-forward – an asking price Arsenal may struggle to match.
Should the Gunners spend so much on one player, it’s likely to be their last foray into the transfer market this summer. They would be somewhat unopposed to sign Lacazette given Atletico Madrid pulled out of the deal due to a transfer ban, but it’s a lot of money for somebody unproven in any other league.
Laurens also believes Arsenal have to get to the bottom of the futures of their highest earners, both of whom have 12 months remaining on their respective deals, before they will look to make any more additions.