LYON want to keep Alexandre Lacazette as part of a proposed new era of domination in French football, claims club president Jean Michel Aulas.
 |
| Newcastle want to sign Alexandre Lacazette |
Lacazette, 24, is reportedly the subject of transfer interest from a number of Premier League teams.
Arsenal and Chelsea are said to be keen on the striker.
But it is claimed Newcastle have made the first move this January, with an £18million bid for the ace rejected by Lyon yesterday.
Lyon are determined to retain their star man partly because of his valuable goals contribution.
The France international has netted eight times this season but there is a further reason why Lyon want him to stay.
The Ligue 1 club have recently moved into their new stadium, the Stade des Lumieres, as part of their ambitions to rival Paris Saint-Germain in French football.
The new 60,000-seater stadium will be used at Euro 2016 this summer and replaces their Stade de Gerland home.
Lyon are hoping the move will raise their both status and financial muscle in French football - but they require players like Lacazette to remain and help attract further signings to the club.
“Concerning Alexandre, I am convinced that he will come back to his highest level after his injury, with the team of his heart that is Lyon," Aulas explained.
"I even think that he will be the first person to score in the new stadium.
"He will be here still for some time because Lyon can only be at the highest level with players of his quality.”
Newcastle's interest in Lacazette appears to stem from manager Steve McClaren's urgency to sign a new striker.
Papiss Cisse has been ruled out for three months, while Aleksandar Mitrovic has struggled for goals since his move to England last summer.
Lyon's first match in their new home will be against Troyes this Saturday.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus