Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed a bid from West Ham for his star striker Alexandre Lacazette, saying he rejected a total of $45 million.
In an interview with French news outlet Le Progres, Aulas was asked if he had received any bids for Lacazette, responding, “Yes, many, the most significant being from West Ham, 40 million Euros which we refused. I want to keep him, but I’m can’t be sure because it is he [Lacazette] who will ultimately decide.”
With Andy Carroll potentially on the move and plenty of cash to spend following the move to Olympic Stadium, West Ham has been one of the loudest early players for a striker since the season came to a close. Lacazette would be a fantastic purchase, having topped the 20-goal mark the last two Ligue 1 campaigns, including a 27-goal tally two seasons ago which left him as the league’s top scorer. This past season, Lacazette’s 21 goals was a distant second to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s league record 38.
Aulas said that although they wish to keep the 24-year-old, the market may leave him with no choice, and he hopes to come to a swift conclusion so they are not left high and dry at the start of next season, a situation which another Ligue 1 club found themselves in after a drawn-out sale to Manchester United. “To make a sale, it is necessary that the three parties agree,” Aulas said. “Last season Monaco wanted to keep [Anthony] Martial. I do not want is that on August 28, when we begin Champions League play, to find ourselves in the same situation.”
“If he has an offer he can not refuse, he will come to see me. And then that’s all.”
The French international was not named on the final roster for Euro 2016 in his home country, but was listed as an injury alternate. Despite the absence of Karim Benzema, Lacazette was beaten out in the striker pool by Martial, Olivier Giroud, and Antoine Griezmann.