Ligue 1 club Lyon are open to the prospect of selling striker Alexandre Lacazette to Arsenal, should they be offered Olivier Giroud as part of the summer agreement.
French publication Le 10 Sport suggests that the Gunners could land Lacazette this summer amid his desire to pursue a fresh challenge elsewhere.
It further states that Les Gones president Jean-Michael Aulas could ease the Gunners’ pursuit of the highly-rated frontman if the North London club are willing to part ways with Giroud in a player-plus-cash deal.
Lacazette is currently valued at around £60m, and the availability of Giroud would enhance Arsenal’s chances of landing the 26-year-old at a lesser sum. The striker has confirmed on multiple occasions that he will Lyon this summer and is desperate for a move.
However, the deal may not be straightforward with Giroud reluctant to return to France where he has often faced a hostile atmosphere among the faithful.
Giroud who scored 12 goals in the Premier League this season, was largely a hit and miss during his initial days, and a certain section of fans still have their differences over his selection ahead of the forgotten Karim Benzema.
The Arsenal striker has nevertheless managed 17 goals in his previous 18 starts for France, and he remains influential to their plans ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Lacazette has constantly been linked with a Emirates move over the past few years, and the club could finally secure his signature this summer, given that Atletico Madrid have failed to overturn their transfer embargo.
The French marksman bagged 37 goals during the recently concluded season, but even his exploits were not sufficient to propel Lyon into the top three places in Ligue 1.
