Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas: Alexandre Lacazette stays put despite 'very nice' Arsenal offer

Jean-Michel Aulas told press on Friday that the 26-year-old was targeted by the North London club, but that he had decided to stay put.

Aulas said: “Lacazette was told he could leave – we now have a very nice offer from Arsenal. But for us he will not leave.”

Lacazette has recently been linked to Arsenal in press reports, but had previously planned a move to Atletico Madrid before the Liga club’s transfer ban was upheld. Lacazette’s perceived loyalty could simply be to bide time until January next year when the ban is spent.

The France international came up through Lyon’s academy and has had an impressive hit rate of 129 goals in his 275 appearances for the club, and like other players of his calibre may be unwilling to spend a season without Champions League football to contend with.

Nonetheless, Arsenal will be under great pressure to make a big-name signing, in particular a striker, this summer to appease fans who had hoped to see Arsene Wenger move on at the end of the last season.

Lacazette’s compatriot, 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe, is another player to have been linked with Arsenal, as well as a number of other Premier League clubs.