Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has claimed that the French club will “make compromises” in a pursuit to re-sign Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette this summer. It comes as the Frenchman looks set to leave the Emirates this summer as a free agent.
For the meantime though, the 30-year-old could yet have an important role in the top four race. Tottenham lead the way in fourth, two points clear of the Gunners, though Spurs have played one game more as it stands.
Having recently lost to their North London rivals, putting them in this position in the race for Champions League qualification, Mikel Arteta reflected on whether the defeat has damaged his squad’s confidence: “That it was a possibility and that we knew that to get in the position that we are today, a lot has happened in the past and we've been through it, we've experienced it and hopefully, that can help us again on Monday.”
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Heading into the final two league games, the Spaniard will need everything from his players to get themselves over the line. One of those game changers could be Lacazette, who has recently been on the bench after Eddie Nketiah ’s goal scoring form.
However, the Frenchman’s role can often be more important than finding the net, something he has only managed four times in the league this season, with his ability to drop deep and draw in opposition players.
Though, with Lacazette and Nketiah’s contracts up at the end of the campaign, the Gunners have been linked with a number of options as the pair could be set to leave. While the manager has previously said that discussions over a possible new deal will happen in the summer, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has claimed his side will push to sign Lacazette once again.
He said, via GFFN : “If we need to make compromises to get him [Lacazette], we will.” That was followed up by Director of Football Vincent Ponsot, who added: “We will continue until the end, it’s a desire for us [to bring Lacazette back].”
The striker is a former Lyon player, having come through the youth ranks at the Ligue 1 side before he made the decision to join Arsenal. He made 275 appearances in south west France, scoring 129 across all competitions.
Whether he makes that move remains to be seen, however the outcome of the next few league matches could be a determining factor.
