Arsenal to hijack Lacazette-Atlético move with 50-60M€ bid
The French forward, who had a verbal agreement in place with Atlético before the FIFA ban was upheld, is on Arsène Wenger's summer shopping list.Barcelona vs Atlético: UEFA Youth League
Alexandre Lacazette's future continues to be the talk of Olympique Lyon's summer. The French forward, who had an agreement in place with Atlético de Madrid to join the team this summer only for the Court of Abritration for Sport to uphold the transfer ban imposed on the Rojiblancos, and put the operation on hold until January 2018.
Arsenal plotting Lacazette raid
The 26-year-old is keen to join Atleti, he's big buddies with Antoine Griezmann, was a guest at the Rojiblanco forward's recent wedding and has made it known that he has always wanted to play for the club. But now that his dream move to Spain has been put on hold, and with 2018 World Cup Russia around the corner, he could end up joining another club. According to L'Équipe, Arsenal are keen on signing Lacazette. Arsène Wenger is looking for a forward with pace to accompany or replace Alexis Sánchez, who still hasn't renewed his contract with the Gunners.
In France, they claim Arsenal would be willing to pay Olympique Lyon between 50 and 60 million euros. Meanwhile, Lyon are talking with Real Madrid with the hope of bringing Mariano in to strengthen their frontline. But in spite of all that, all is not lost for Atlético. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said recently: “We have a very good relationship with Alexandre and we are not going to do anything which could cause any problems to his plans, without his say. In other words, we have a responsibility towards the club which he holds dear in his heart and who have been unable to sign him because of the CAS ruling and we respect that”. One of the options open to Lacazette is that he continues with Lyon until the FIFA ban is lifted in January when he can complete his move to Atlético. On the plus side, that option is viable because Lyon are not in next year's Champions League, which means that even if his move is delayed until halfway through the season, he will still be able to be registered with UEFA in Atleti's squad.
