Lyon president, Jean-Michel Aulas, claims that Alexandre Lacazette will not leave the Ligue 1 club if they can’t find a replacement.
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Aulas revealed at Lyon’s unveiling of Chelsea’s Bertrand Traore that the Ligue 1 club will not sell Lacazette to Arsenal until they’ve found a replacement.
“Today [Monday] our position is that as long as we have not signed his replacement, we will keep him,” Aulas said.
The Lyon president recently claimed that, as the 26-year-old striker wants to leave, they will open discussions with Arsenal, and, according to reports, they’re thought to be demanding £60m for the France international.
However, meeting Lacazette’s valuation is the least of the Gunners’ worries if Lyon can’t find a replacement in time.
The star, who scored 37 goals in 45 appearances last season, was originally supposed to be signing for Atletico Madrid but considering they’ve had their transfer ban upheld, this looks unlikely.
“He expressed the wish to leave and he was given an agreement to go to the club of his heart, but things did not happen,” Aulas continued.
“He wants to leave. We will discuss it in the coming weeks. If so, offers will be heard, provided they match the value of the player.”
Arsenal made a bid for Lacazette last summer, which was rejected. Whether they’ll offer enough this year remains to be seen, especially with Olivier Giroud reportedly on his way to West Ham.