The hierarchy at Olympique Lyonnais have once again confirmed their intentions to sign Alexandre Lacazette as a free agent this summer.

Speaking in a press conference this week, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas and director of football Vincent Ponsot both confirmed their plans to re-sign Alexandre Lacazette for the club this summer.

“If we need to make compromises to get him, we will,” Aulas said, with Ponsot adding: “We will continue until the end, it’s a desire for us [to bring Lacazette back].”

Back in February, the same two figures had told the media something similar.

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

Ponsot continued: “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 reported recently that Lacazette remains Lyon’s priority for the summer transfer window, but their very likely absence from Europe next season makes that more difficult.

As a result, Lyon have started to explore alternative targets, including meeting with the representatives of Borussia Monchengladbach’s Breel Embolo.

Mikel Arteta has previously suggested Arsenal will discuss the prospect of a contract extension for Lacazette at the end of the season, with reports suggesting the club could offer a new one-year deal with the option for a further season afterwards.

But those reports came before Eddie Nketiah broke into the side and scored four goals in six games.

If the Gunners were going to push to sign one of them up now, you’d imagine Nketiah is the favourite.

Even if he doesn’t end up with Lyon, Lacazette suggested in April that he’s in conversations with various alternative new clubs.

“I am in discussions with a lot of clubs. I am open,” Lacazette said.

“I have never cut contact with Lyon since I left. I try to return to the club once or twice a year to see the medical staff because we are really close. Lyon knows that I am free, they have come to the information.”