Atletico Madrid want to sign Alexandre Lacazette to replace Antoine Griezmann, according to reports.

As reported on Tuesday, Lacazette’s agency met with Arsenal this week. This has been confirmed by pictures on the agency’s Instagram story, though reports differ over the reason for the meeting.

Some claim it was over a contract extension, whilst others, such as Yahoo Sport, wrote that it was to discuss a possible transfer to Spain.

At the time, the rumoured Spanish club involved was unnamed, but we speculated that Atletico Madrid were the only seriously viable candidate. Now, the Mirror have moved to confirm that speculation, claiming that Atletico are indeed interested in the signing.

It makes sense, as the La Liga side are losing Griezmann to Barcelona for over £100m. They have both the motivation and the funds to pursue a player like Lacazette, and it’s clear Arsenal need money.

On the other hand, this is Arsenal’s player of the season, who scored and assisted numerous crucial goals in big games last campaign.

Letting him go is unlikely to be a popular move, no matter how much money the La Liga side through at the club. It has been well documented that Arsenal can only generate extra funds through players sales and a figure of around £70m – less than what Crystal Palace want for Wilfried Zaha – is being touted.