Lyon confirms West Ham bid for Lacazette

In an interview with French newspaper Le Progrès, Lyon President Jean Michel Aulas has confirmed that he has rejected multiple offers for Alexandre Lacazette, the largest being a €40m (£31m) bid from West Ham.

Aulas said: “In order to make a sale, all three parties need to be in agreement. We have refused several offers, with the largest being that of West Ham for €40m. That is also a response. I want to keep him but there is no certainty because he will decide in the end. I do not want a 28th August situation, as we have qualified for the Champions League, we find ourselves in the same situation as Monaco with Martial. A priori, he stays. If there is an offer that we cannot refuse, he will come see me and then that is it.”

The 24-year-old has excelled once again this season, having followed up his Ligue 1-leading haul of 27 goals in 2014/15 with an impressive 21 goals this term – second only to Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.