As it was reported by L’Equipe (via GFFN), Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette’s dream of rejoining his former club side Lyon is still much on the card, as his time with the Gunners comes to an end in the summer.
The former Lyon star has refused Gunner’s advances to extend his contract due to the club’s inability to offer him more than a year contract plus an option of a year extension.
Although, the emergence of Eddie Nketiah who has seamlessly stepped into the number 9, scoring four goals in five games would have made Lacazette see himself as a second fiddle now to Nketiah.
If Arsenal were moving to nudge to sign one of them based on their current form and future development, you’d guess Nketiah will be the outright favourite.
Hence, Lacazette has always been an admirer of a return to Lyon, and the 30-years-old forward had publicly disclosed his intention towards that effect during an interview with Canal+. “Yeah, it would be good. But it’s not up to me. But it would indeed be good. Sure, partly, I have my voice but to bring back Coco [Tolisso] and Sam [Umtiti] it’s not me who decides,” he said.
With the optimism of a return to Lyon, his next destination might lie somewhere else. Lyon’s current league position doesn’t suggest a European qualification and that will be detrimental to his dream move.
Lacazette didn’t hide his intention to experience Champions League football, and that’s a wish he’ll consider before making his final decision, as reported in the interview with Canal+, saying: “It’s a bit more complicated. I want to play in Europe. It’s been a long time since I’ve played in the Champions League too, I miss it. It’s a bit complicated. Nothing is impossible in life, but it’s a bit more complicated.”
Lacazette indicated in April that he’s in discussions with different clubs, in a bid to land a favourable move in case Lyon’s move collapse.
“I am in discussions with a lot of clubs. I am open,” Lacazette said. “I have never cut contact with Lyon since I left. I try to return to the club once or twice a year to see the medical staff because we are close. Lyon knows that I am free, they have come to the information.”
Consequently, Lyon has also started exploring the market to find an alternative enclosing a meeting with the envoys of Borussia Monchengladbach’s Breel Embolo.
