Arsenal are reported to be keen on landing an experienced striker in Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon, so they are believed would increase their bid for the forward after previous efforts didn’t succeed.
Arsene Wenger wants the strike force strengthened in light of injury to Danny Welbeck and the underperformance of Olivier Giroud in the past campaign.
Sky Sports report that Arsenal’s bid of £30 million was rejected by the French giant. The French Ligue 1 side is hoping the Gunners would do better for a striker that they badly need. Arsenal lost the signature of Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus. The former Napoli star forward made a record transfer signing in the move to the Italian champions, leaving Arsenal empty for the second time.
Arsenal are at a loss as they expected the bid to have been accepted, the president of Lyon Jean-Michel Aulas claims he doesn’t expect them to return with an improved bid for the player. The 25-year old Lacazatte has attracted a lot of interests, with West Ham even interested at some point before they backed down. Lacazette scored 48 goals in the league for the past two seasons, and also got an improved offer last year August that will tie him to the club for another four years. The president doesn’t want his star striker to leave when his opponents – Paris St. Germain and co – are improving their squads. The club has placed his release clause at £4 million, making it difficult for Arsenal to sign this summer.
The player has spent most of his professional years at Lyon, scoring 92 goals in 230 games. He has 10 caps for France already. Arsenal have made three signings already but no major changes as been made that might give them better chances at lifting a trophy. Carl Jerkinson, Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain still remain despite not hitting world-class form that the club require.