Arsenal confirmed the signing of Petr Cech on Monday, and the Gunners have reportedly now been offered a big chance to strengthen at the other end of the field.
Chelsea legend Cech joined the Gunners in a £10m deal, according to BBC Sport, to become Arsene Wenger’s first major summer acquisition on a four-year contract.
He could soon be joined at the Emirates Stadium by Alexandre Lacazette, with The Telegraph claiming that Lyon have offered their prised asset for £21m.
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Lacazette scored 31 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions for the French club last season, and the Daily Star has also credited Manchester United and Liverpool with an interest.
His Ligue 1-best goal return helped Lyon to a second-place finish and a guaranteed return to the Champions League next term, which alone does not seem enough to convince him to stay.
The Telegraph quotes his representative David Venditelli giving Lyon an ultimatum – to match the £4.5m wages that Lacazette could earn in the Premier League or watch him walk away this summer.
Venditelli said: “The offers we’ve had from abroad are very significant in terms of finances. Ultimatums and media pressure won’t change our demands, which OL are aware of.”
The Telegraph report continues by saying that Lyon are not prepared to meet these demands and that they have decided to cash in on the France international for a sum of £21m.
That asking price is less than half of the figure that the Daily Express previously suggested Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani, who scored nine less league goals than Lacazette in 2014-15, would cost any potential suitor.
Lacazette would offer Arsenal a quicker and more direct alternative to compatriot Olivier Giroud, who scored 14 Premier League goals last season.
Furthermore, he is a more natural finisher than Danny Welbeck, who managed only four league goals in his debut campaign.
A £21m deal for Lacazette would represent great value for money for Arsenal and take them even closer to having a title-winning squad. Cech was a crucial step in the right direction and this move would be the next one.
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