Arsenal set to complete the signing of Alexandre Lacazette

Lyon Have The Most Profitable Academy In France
Lyon Have The Most Profitable Academy In France

Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette is set to complete his transfer to Arsenal this week.

Lacazette had a sensational season in Ligue 1 last year and Arsenal will be delighted to have secured his services. The Gunners have not had a striker of his quality since the departure of Robin Van Persie.

The French club’s President, Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that the move should be finalised in ‘one or two days’.

Aulas also confirmed that the 26-year-old will cost around £43m. Once the deal is completed, Lacazette is likely to become Arsenal’s club record signing eclipsing the £42m they paid Real Madrid for Mesut Ozil in the summer of 2013.

Aulas said: “The transfer [fee] will be between €45million and €50m. Being close to €50m is unique, and will probably be a record for Arsenal and Olympique Lyonnais as well. We will probably reach a new record, it’s not a small transfer, €50m for a player trained by our club.”

Lacazette would add some much-needed pace and flair up front. The French international is also a very good finisher and would be a considerable upgrade on Olivier Giroud.

He has scored 37 goals in 45 games for Lyon last season. The 26-year-old has bagged a total of 113 goals in his last four seasons.

It will be interesting to see if the Gunners can hold on to Alexis Sanchez now. The Chilean has not signed a new deal yet and could still leave the club this summer.

Arsenal will be hoping to challenge for the title next season and signing Lacazette is a step in the right direction for them. However, they cannot afford to lose their best player despite the incomings.

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