Lyon president confirms Arsenal transfer target

James Shearman

• Updated: 2 Feb 2022 15:59 CST
• 3 min read

Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette could make a return to Lyon once his contract expires at the end of the season.

Lacazette left the Ligue 1 side for north London in 2017, where he has registered 70 goals and 32 assists in 192 appearances.

However, the 30-year-old's impressive goal record has only led to one piece of silverware - the FA Cup in 2020.

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That said, the Frenchman's signing has been a success for the Gunners but it is now time to go in a different direction.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was let go to Barcelona on transfer deadline day, and Lacazette will be next to leave when his deal expires in five months.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is clearly focused on the long-term future of the club, of which the former strike partners are not going to be a part of.

Instead, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli are the ones that will be tasked with returning the club to its glory days.

Lacazette to Lyon?

Lacazette will have a number of offers on the table upon the expiry of his contract, but it appears Lyon are the front runners to secure his signature.

The Frenchman played on 275 occasions for the club where he made his professional debut, scoring 129 times.

So, it makes sense that he would be interested in a return, given he enjoyed such fine goalscoring form in east-central France.

And, Lyon's hierarchy have made no secret over the club's desire to bring back one of its icons.

“We’ll do our best to sign Alexandre Lacazette in June,'' said Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.

"It's Lacazette, he interests us because he marked this club. It's a profile that interests us and we have always been in contact with him,'' director Vincent Ponsot added.

Les Gones would hope that the return of the France international striker then returns the club to the Champions League.