Alexandre Lacazette set to switch Arsenal for Lyon return despite Ligue 1 club not playing in Europe - reports

ByEurosport

Updated 02/06/2022 at 13:16 GMT

Alexandre Lacazette looks set to return to Lyon this summer after five years at Arsenal. L'Equipe report that the striker has been convinced to return to the Ligue 1 club where he scored 129 goals and won the 2012 Coupe de France before sealing a £46m move to Arsenal in 2017. Lacazette has scored 71 goals in 206 appearances for Arsenal and played 36 times for Mikel Arteta's side last season.

Alexandre Lacazette

Image credit: Getty Images

Lyon have convinced Alexandre Lacazette to return to the club following the expiration of his Arsenal contract at the end of the month, according to reports.

The France international’s contract expires this summer and will be free to return to the club where he scored 100 league goals before moving to the Gunners.

Lacazette was the last Ligue 1 top scorer who was not a Paris Saint-Germain player back in the 2014-15 season and a return to Lyon would undoubtedly be greeted with great excitement.

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L’Equipe report that an announcement confirming Lacazette’s move to Lyon is imminent.

Lacazette is said to want to move back to his boyhood club where he can be their leader on the pitch, despite the Ligue 1 side not qualifying for European football last season. Lyon finished eighth in the Ligue 1 table.

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

Earlier this month when asked about signing Lacazette at a press conference for the contract renewals of players Wendie Renard and Maxence Caqueret, he said: “If we need to make compromises to get him, we will.”

Director of Football Vincent Ponsot said at the same press conference: “We will continue until the end, it’s a desire for us [to bring Lacazette back].”

RMC Sport report Lyon striker Moussa Dembele has been informed of Lacazette’s imminent arrival which may see him leave the club despite having a contract until June 2023.

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