Lyon have confirmed that Arsenal have submitted a €35 million (£29m) bid for striker Alexandre Lacazette while categorically denying claims the Gunners have since offered a much higher amount.
Lacazette’s profile has been enhanced considerably following fine performances for Lyon in Ligue 1 over the last two seasons.
The 25-year-old France international was in mesmeric form during the 2014/15 season, scoring 27 goals in 33 league games, which contributed to Lyon’s charge at the top of the table and ensured he finished as the league’s top goalscorer.
Although he got off to a slow start last season, Lacazette was back among the goals as the campaign went on and eventually netted 21 in 34 Ligue 1 matches.
That has prompted interest from clubs such as Arsenal and West Ham United, but it appears it is the Gunners who made an offer of €35m (£29m) for the forward.
In a club statement released by the Ligue 1 giants on Tuesday, it is revealed the offer was not even considered and Lyon have now denied reports an improved offer of €48 million (£40m) was subsequently lodged.
There reasoning for making the information public has to do with Lyon’s financial interests.
The statement read: “Lyon categorically deny having received a 48m euro offer for the transfer of Alexandre Lacazette, as reported by “Le Progres” this morning.
“The club regrets that once more “Le Progres” has not taken the time to contact it before publishing this false information which creates confusion on the day that the Olympique Lyonnais group publishes it’s annual turnover of 218.1m Euros, an increase of 111% on 2014/15 figures.
“The reality is that Arsenal Football Club formulated a €35m offer which Olympique Lyonnais has not considered for the sole reason that OL will keep Alexandre Lacazette, who is considered irreplaceable and one of the key leaders of Bruno Genesio’s squad.”
Lyon’s stance appears to show that they did not even consider the bid from Arsenal, with the club clearly feeling the Frenchman is worth much more.
Arsenal have been actively in the hunt for a new striker all summer, after missing out on Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy.
The Gunners have been keen on a striker to come in and help take the pressure of 29-year-old Olivier Giroud ahead of the new season, with Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata also an option.
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