'We will continue': Club president publicly claims he's going to make move to sign 'phenomenal' Arsenal player

By Shamanth Jayaram

Olympique Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas and their Sporting Director Vincent Ponsot have reiterated their desire to sign Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette this summer.

The French striker joined Arsenal from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes-based club in the summer of 2017. He was viewed by many as the answer to all of the Gunners’ goalscoring woes, but he hasn’t quite been as prolific at the Emirates as he was back at his boyhood club.

In 203 games for Arsenal, Lacazette has scored 71 goals and provided 36 assists in all competitions. He’s the current captain of the North Londoners as well, but his time at the club is coming to an end.

Lacazette will be out of contract at the end of next month a return to Lyon is very much on the cards.

• Sky pundit suggests Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette has run out of steam this season

Lyon president: We want to sign Alexandre Lacazette from Arsenal

This isn’t the first time that Aulas has spoken about bringing Lacazette back to Lyon. Back in February, the Lyon chief claimed he’ll do his best to sign the Arsenal man this summer.

Now, he has gone a step further and has revealed that Lyon will even make compromises to bring the 30-year-old back.

Aulas said in a press conference today, as quoted by GFFN: “If we need to make compromises to get him, we will.”

Director of Football Ponsot added: “We will continue until the end, it’s a desire for us [to bring Lacazette back].”

• ‘He is having talks’: Mikel Arteta admits that it has become ‘difficult’ for Alexandre Lacazette at Arsenal right now

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A return to Lyon will be a fairytale of sorts for Lacazette, who came through the ranks and made a name for himself at the club all those years ago.

The Frenchman is a hero to many at Lyon and even though he’s not quite the same player that he once was, he could become a real star for them again if he joins them this summer.

Arsenal, on the other hand, will have to go big to replace him. They’ve done well to compete with the top sides in the country without a prolific striker this season, but with European football set to return next term, they just need someone who will guarantee goals.

Lacazette, branded as ‘phenomenal’ by Mikel Arteta, will be a miss for Arsenal because of the leader he is. However, it’s the perfect time for all parties to go their separate ways this summer.

• Report: Arsenal now keen for Alexandre Lacazette to be moved on despite Arteta wanting to delay decision