Transfer Centre

Lyon chief: 'Alexandre Lacazette is not in London'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 02 July 2017

Alexandre Lacazette is not on the verge of joining Arsenal as the Gunners' offer of £39m has been knocked back, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas reveals.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has played down suggestions that Alexandre Lacazette is on the brink of completing a big-money transfer to Arsenal.

The 26-year-old has already seen a move to Atletico Madrid fall through this window and is now thought to be at the top of the Gunners' summer transfer wishlist

After days of intense speculation, French publication Le Progres reported earlier this weekend that Lacazette was now in England ahead of a medical, with just minor details left to agree between the two clubs.

Aulas has rubbished these reports, however, while also revealing that Arsenal's initial offer of €45m (£39m) fell short of Lyon's asking price.

"False information from Le Progres about the eventual transfer of Alex L," he posted on his personal Twitter account. "He's not in London. The first offer was €45m!"

Aulas previously claimed that he expects Lacazette, the scorer of 129 goals in 275 appearances for the French club, to still be in place come the end of the current window.