Arsenal Handed Major Boost As 31-Goal Striker Target Rules Out Liverpool Move

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, more on the future of Alexandre Lacazette….

Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Alexandre Lacazette with the Lyon hitman effectively ruling out a move to Liverpool due to their lack of Champions League football, according to reports.

Lacazette has been with Lyon his entire career having joined the club as a seven year-old in 1998 and made his way through the youth ranks before breaking into the first team set-up in 2009.

The 24-year-old has developed into one of the most prolific strikers in European football with his 31 goals last season firing Lyon to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 to book their place in the Champions League.

Lacazette’s stunning form has attracted interest from the Premier League with reports in recent months suggesting Arsenal and Liverpool are keen on luring him to England this summer.

Many feel the Gunners are a world class striker short of being genuine title challengers and Lacazette would certainly give the North Londoners a new dimension in attack if he was to make the move to the Emirates.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that boss Arsene Wenger is keen on the French international with the Express recently reporting that Arsenal were lining-up a £22m bid.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is also on the look out for a new goal threat as the Merseysiders struggled in the final third last season with Daniel Sturridge struggling for fitness while Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert failed to fill the void up front.

However, it appears Lacazette has now ruled out any potential move to Anfield after telling reporters that he will only leave Lyon for a club who can offer Champions League football.

“I have not made my decision. I will go on holiday, leave my agent to discuss things, for him to look after all that,”

“Everything depends on the destination. It would have to be for a Champions League club. Barcelona and Real Madrid – you don’t reject them.

“I could stay at Lyon next season and have a terrible season, I could leave and have an incredible season.

“But today, between leaving and staying, it is not 50-50 – it is zero. I am not thinking about it. I am going to enjoy the national team and I will think about it after.”

Obviously this will come as a major blow to Liverpool and it looks like Rodgers will now have to turn his attention to other targets, but it has handed Arsenal a huge boost as it leaves them in the clear to snap-up the striker if Lacazette decides he wants to try his luck in the Premier League.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Liverpool transfer news

We’ll have to wait and see what the French international decides to do and even if he looks for a move to England this summer, Arsenal will still have to agree a fee with Lyon – which won’t be easy – but I’d personally love to see Lacazette plying his trade in the Premier League next term as he’s a huge talent with a bright future ahead of him.