Lyon are hoping to sign Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette.

• Lyon’s president Jean-Michael Aulas confirmed he wants Traore at the club
• Lacazette is expected to leave, with Arsenal heavily linked

The club president, Jean-Michael Aulas, confirmed OL were interested in signing the Burkina Faso international.

“We want to bring Bertrand Traore to the club,” he said, reports the Metro. “There are advanced talks there, but many clubs are interested. We absolutely want to do the deal.”

Traore could be a replacement for Lacazette, who looks set to leave the Ligue 1 this summer amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.

Lacazette had been close to joining Atletico Madrid as a potential replacement for the then-Man Utd-linked Griezmann until the Spanish club’s transfer ban was upheld.

He’s believed to be one of Arsenal’s main targets this summer. According to reports, Aulas and Arsenal have held meetings about the player, but the Gunners have yet to make an official offer.

Lyon securing a replacement early would certainly help Arsenal in their bid to sign Lacazette. It seems all the pieces are being put into place for the transfer to happen. Now Arsenal just have to submit a good offer to Lyon.