Arsenal player to ‘hold talks’ over summer exit as club director reveals ‘contact’ made

Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette could be on the cusp of sealing an exit from the club as he prepares to hold talks over a potential return to former club Lyon.

According to Football.London, the expectation is that the 30-year-old will leave the Gunners at the end of his current contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season.

Several clubs are understood to be in the running for his signature, but it’s Lacazette’s old employers Lyon who look to be leading the race.

The striker signed for Arsenal from the Ligue 1 outfit in 2017 for a fee of around £47.7 million.

How likely is Lacazette to seal an exit from Arsenal?

At this stage, it would probably be more of a surprise if Lacazette stayed.

While the prospect of a short-term extension offer from Arsenal - perhaps somewhere in the region of one to two years - can’t be ruled out at this stage, all of the early indicators suggest that the Frenchman will be on the move this summer.

Football.London’s report certainly ties in with another update from online outlet 90min, who suggest that the Gunners have “no indication” of keeping hold of the 30-year-old beyond the summer.

If he does go, then it will surely provide yet more justification for Arsenal to go out and reinforce their frontline.

As well as Lacazette’s increasingly likely exit, Arteta is dealing with the recent exit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a similarly precarious contract situation involving Eddie Nketiah.

What have Lyon said about signing Lacazette?

Lyon chiefs have made no secret of their desire to be reunited with Lacazette.

President Jean-Michel Aulas recently told the media they intend to make a move for the player this summer.

“We’ll do our best to sign Alexandre Lacazette in June,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lyon director Vincent Ponsot added: “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”.