BBC Sports Journalist David Ornstein has confirmed that the Gunners have failed with an initial approach to sign Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette during the summer transfer window.
The France international has been identified as the prime target for the north London club with a deal for AS Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe due to the hefty £100m plus asking price on the table.
As a result, the FA Cup holders have maintained their pursuit of Lacazette, who was the subject of failed transfer bid during the previous summer transfer window.
Ornstein, via his Twitter page, has revealed that Arsene Wenger’s side have had an offer knocked back for Lacazette, but talks are due to continue in the coming weeks.
As reported by others Arsenal are in talks with Lyon to sign striker Alexandre Lacazette. 1st bid was rejected but negotiations ongoing #AFC
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 28, 2017
In a recent report covered on Sky Sports, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas indicated that the club are seeking a similar sum to what Atletico Madrid were willing to offer earlier in the month, and this suggests that the Gunners will have to cough up a fee in the region of £57m for the Frenchman.
Lacazette initially sought to pursue a move to Atletico Madrid, but his move was scuppered after the Court of Arbitration of Sport upheld the Spanish club’s transfer ban until January, while restricting them from signing any players in the process.
Bosnia & Herzegovina international Sead Kolasinac is the only summer acquisition for the FA Cup holders after having linked up from German club Schalke 04 on a Bosman. Meanwhile, Arsenal have also failed with a recent attempt to sign Thomas Lemar, who is deemed indispensable at AS Monaco.
