Arsenal have been dealt with a huge blow in the transfer market after their bid for Lyon star Alenxadre Lacazette was turned down. The French giants made the announcement through a press release that was initially written in French language. Here is an extract of the translated version:
''Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies having received a €48m offer from Arsenal for Alexandre Lacazette like Le Progrès claims in their edition this morning.
''The club regrets yet again that Le Progrès did not decide to contact us before publishing this false information that has created confusion on the day where the Group, on the stock exchange, publishes its annual accounts showing €218.1m, a progression of 111% from 2014/15.
''The reality is that the club Arsenal made an offer worth €35m, which Lyon did not follow up on for one reason: OL will keep Alexandre Lacazette who is irreplaceable and who is one of the main leaders in Bruno Genesio’s squad.’’
Watch all the 23 goals he scored for Lyon in 2015/16
The 25-year-old had been linked with a move to PSG or Arsenal this summer after French publication L’Equipe published a report claiming that he had requested to leave his current club. The Gunners had reportedly made a 35 million Euro bid for the superstar but was turned down.
The product of the Lyon academy made his debut for the senior team in 2010. He has since made 173 appearances for Les Gones and scored 72 league goals. Check out some of the reactions on twitter:
Arsenal rejected of vardy and lacazette but have the cheek to laugh at us trying to sign pogba
— Mkhitaryan 1 Mufc (@Mkhitaryan1mufc) July 26, 2016
Good old Arsenal fans
West Ham bid €40 million for Lacazette, Rejected.
— Football Daily (@footballdailyuk) July 26, 2016
So Arsenal bid €35 million for Lacazette, Rejected. pic.twitter.com/BkSdPxZEqW
When everyone keeps rejecting your offers. #Lacazette pic.twitter.com/Izei2xKFjU
— Copa90 (@Copa90) July 26, 2016
Lyon reject €40m bid for Lacazette from West Ham in June.
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) July 26, 2016
Wenger make €35m bid in July.
Why bid less than West Ham did? Lol.
Arsenal have gone from being linked with Vardy to Higuain to Lacazette and now Ben Yedder pic.twitter.com/XUgySdhHzw
— Football Daily (@footballdailyuk) July 26, 2016
Lacazette isn't even worth €35m
— Jesper Green (@JesperGreenHD) July 26, 2016
am confident that Wenger will submit another bid for Lacazette. can't be brushed off that easily and we are in need of a striker.
— ㅤ (@WelshWinger) July 26, 2016