Arsenal are reportedly ready to launch a bigger bid for Olympique Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette after an initial bid of £29.3m was rejected earlier this week, according to reports in Telegraph.
Lyon were angered by the Gunners first bid for the French international and decided to make their rejection public knowledge, given that it fell £3m short of what West Ham United had offered for his services over a month before.
The report in Telegraph further states that the North London club have reportedly readied a £35m bid in order to secure the signing of Alexandre Lacazette. The Ligue 1 club rejected a £29.3m offer for the 25-year old French forward, but would be interested in doing business with the club if Arsenal meet their valuation of the player.
Another reports in Telegraph reveals that Lacazette wants to leave Lyon to join Arsenal and would be grateful if the club accepted any further bids from the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger has stated that he prefers to keep Arsenal’s transfer activity secret as he responded to Lyon’s statement. When asked about Lyon’s statement on the Gunners US tour, the Frenchman said:
“Lyon is responsible for their own statements.On the transfer front, I think the best [option] is always to keep as secret as possible.”
“If we sign somebody, we will announce it. But I cannot tell you much more on that.”
Having seen failed bids for Jamie Vardy and Gonzalo Higuain in recent weeks, Wenger is running out of options to strengthen his attack. Wenger is determined to add a new striker following Danny Welbeck’s injury and Olivier Giroud’s likely absence for the start of the Premier League with the 29-year-old yet to return to pre-season after reaching the Euro 2016 final with France.
As things stand, Theo Walcott is set to lead the line in Arsenal’s opening fixture against Liverpool, while Chuba Akpom and Joel Campbell could be called upon should Wenger not be able to sign another centre-forward.
While both Akpom and Campbell netted in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over the MLS All-Stars in San Jose, Wenger knows if he is to challenge for that elusive Premier League title, he will need more star quality up top. Lacazette, 25, would certainly fit the bill after netting 48 goals across the past two seasons in Ligue 1.
However, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas publicly declared that he did not expect the Gunners to follow up their interest but it’s likely that Wenger will at least make one more bid before moving on to other targets.
Hence with Wenger assuring the fans of proper transfer activity this season, the much-hyped Lacazette move might take form over the coming week. Let’s hope for the best.
