Arsenal are planning to hold talks with Alexandre Lacazette over a potential new contract at the end of the season, despite Lyon’s recent approach.

Alexandre Lacazette’s contract expires at the end of the season, and the player is now free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club, but Arsenal aren’t planning to rush into extension talks with him.

That’s according to Mikel Arteta, who says the club have spoken to the various players with expiring deals about their situation more generally.

The club just aren’t going to hold any specific conversations on new deals until the summer.

“There is a chance [Lacazette signs a new deal], but we have decisions to make on three or four players in regards to the summer,” Arteta said.

“Starting those conversations right now, I don’t think is the right way. We have spoken to all the players, what to expect, the freedom that they have because the contracts allow them to make any decisions, and with our position there.

“That’s what we are going to do. At the end of the season, we will sit down and decide what’s the best for all the parties.”

Football.London report that Lacazette is expected to leave Arsenal when his contract with the club comes to an end this summer, and he’s set to hold talks over a return to former club Lyon.

In fact, Lacazette is in discussions with several teams, but Lyon are currently the frontrunners.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas recently told the media they intend to make a move for Lacazette this summer.

“We’ll do our best to sign Alexandre Lacazette in June,” Aulas said.

Lyon director Vincent Ponsot added: “We’ve seen the maturity that he’s acquired. We’ve always remained in contact with him. But bringing in big players is always complicated.”

L’Equipe previously reported that Lyon tried in vain to pry Lacazette away from Arsenal in January, and they’ll attempt to lure him back again in the coming months.

Lacazette has always maintained a strong bond with his old club. The Lyon hierarchy have made contact with his entourage in recent weeks.

Arteta will have to hope he and Lacazette are on the same page with regards to the talks in the summer, or the striker could end up making a decision before we get there.