Alexandre Lacazette is set to rejoin Olympique Lyonnais on a free transfer this summer, with an announcement now reportedly imminent and a massive paycut part of the deal.
L’Equipe report that Lyon have finally convinced their former striker Alexandre Lacazette to rejoin the club on a free transfer from Arsenal, following the expiry of the striker’s contract.
Arsenal have already confirmed that the player has left:
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1532686031639613441
Writing on Instagram, Lacazette, said, “It’s been an honour to wear the jersey, to be a part of this family. I won trophies, I met real and nice ppl, and I fell even more in love with this club ❤️
“Good luck for the future of the club and the fans, it’s been a pleasure.
“Once a gunner, Always a Gunner.
“Thank you Arsenal ❤️♣️”
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The French outlet claim a Lyon announcement is imminent, as there’s no longer anything standing in the way of a transfer.
The two parties have agreed on a salary and Lacazette has finally accepted the move, despite Lyon’s failure to qualify for European football.
The Athletic also confirm that Lacazette has now agreed to return to Lyon.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the free transfer is set to be completed, with Lacazette informing Arsenal about Lyon’s offer earlier this week.
Lyon bosses had already repeatedly confirmed their intentions to bring Lacazette back to the club.
“If we need to make compromises to get him, we will,” Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said, with director of football Vincent Ponsot adding: “We will continue until the end, it’s a desire for us [to bring Lacazette back].”
L’Equipe consistently reported that Lacazette remained Lyon’s priority for the summer transfer window, but their absence from Europe next season made that more difficult.
It seems Lacazette has now come to terms with Lyon’s situation and decided to make the move anyway and has even agreed to take a 50%+ paycut, reducing his salary from €10m-a-year to €4.5m, according to RMC.
Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon back in 2017, spending five years with the Gunners.
The striker made 206 appearances and scored 71 goals, and he’ll now return to Lyon – where he’s already racked up 275 appearances and 129 goals.