Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulas says Arsenal man ‘more accessible’ to sign than Karim Benzema

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas says the French club are interested in re-signing Alexandre Lacazette from Arsenal this summer.

Lacazette is now in the final six months of his contract at The Emirates and he is free to speak to foreign suitors. According to the Daily Mail(citing French outlet L’Equipe), Lyon tried to get a deal over the line last month.

But with Barcelona moving for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Gunners were not willing to sanction a move for the 30-year-old Lacazette as well.

Aubameyang was unveiled as a Barcelona player on Wednesday having left Arsenal as a free agent.

Arsenal sanctioned a whopping £25m saving on the remainder of Aubameyang’s contract. While Aubameyang reportedly took a significant pay-cut to arrive at the Camp Nou.

But that move left Lacazette with nowhere to go. However, Lyon look destined to come back in for the forward this summer, although they are also looking at Karim Benzema.

Aulas, speaking at the unveiling of Tanguy Ndombele said: “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.

“It’s a profile that interests us and we have always been in contact with him.

“This is part of the guiding ideas brought by (new sporting director) Bruno Cheyrou. In our context, yes it (Lacazette) is more accessible than Benzema.

“We have to try to see if we can do it as a free player but we will not be alone.”

Lacazette signed for Arsenal from Lyon for £47m in the summer of 2017.

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Arteta plotting Lacazette rethink?

The only obstacle in Lyon’s path at present would appear to be Lacazette’s high salary. But the Lyon-born star will likely be open to cut a deal with the Ligue 1 club as he looks to wind down his career.

Mikel Arteta admitted in November that the club would not enter into talks with the player until the summer.

“I don’t know there is so much stuff. What I can say is I’m really happy with what Laca is doing. We’re not going to be talking about any of that until the end of the season,” said the Spaniard.

However, Lacazette’s strong form towards the end of 2021 may well have persuaded Arsenal into making a move for him.

Arsenal were previously only willing to offer Lacazette a one-year extension due to him being in his thirties. However, TEAMtalk sources claim they are now ready to propose a two-year deal with the option for the striker to remain.

READ MORE: Barcelona place huge buyout clause in Aubameyang deal as striker explains move

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