Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette confirms he will leave Lyon this summer

On the move: Lacazette will leave Lyon this summer
AFP/Getty Images
James Benge19 May 2017

Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette has confirmed he plans to leave Lyon this summer but it seems increasingly likely he favours Atletico Madrid.

The French striker’s future has been the subject of intense speculation once more over recent weeks, with Atletico among those reported to have joined Arsenal in the hunt for Ligue 1’s second highest scorer this season.

Lacazette hinted earlier this week that he was tempted by a move to Atleti and in an interview with L’Equipe has now confirmed that he will depart Lyon after 14 years at the club.

“I think it’s the right moment,” the 25-year-old, who will play his final game at the Stade des Lumieres against Nice on Sunday, said. “I want to discover something else, to put myself under pressure and to gain a level.”

However it appears that Lacazette, who has previously spoken of his desire to play regularly in the latter stages of the Champions League, favours a move to Spain and Diego Simeone’s side.

“It is a club that has been in the last rounds of the Champions League for several years. It is a great team, in a new stadium, and it is also a club that makes players progress.

“And there is Antoine Griezmann.”

Arsenal's summer 2016 transfer window timeline

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Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed earlier this week that the club were prepared to sell Lacazette if any interested parties paid their asking price, a notable shift from their attitude in previous seasons.

The French giants rejected a £29.3million bid from Arsenal for the striker last summer, which the Gunners ultimately refused to increase, and also turned down £43m from West Ham.

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