Arsenal Transfer News: Alexandre Lacazatte Talks Ongoing, Alexis Sanchez Latest

BBC Sport's David Ornstein has confirmed Arsenal are still negotiating to try to sign Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, despite having one bid rejected:

Ornstein also revealed the Gunners are yet to receive any offers for talismanic forward Alexis Sanchez but remain firm in their desire not to sell the player, whose contract expires in 2018, to a Premier League rival:

However, Ornstein has called into question Arsenal's chances of signing a potential Sanchez replacement, AS Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, after the Ligue 1 champions knocked back a bid.

Ornstein is considered by many to be a highly credible and reliable source for Arsenal-based news. His latest tweets come after the Gunners were credited with making offers worth a combined £85 million for Lacazette and Lemar, per Jeremy Wilson and John Percy of the Daily Telegraph.

The Telegraph report also said the potential arrivals of Lemar and Lacazette would possibly allow Sanchez to leave. He is wanted by Manchester City and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich as the uncertainty about his future grows.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Ornstein's confirmation that Monaco don't want to sell Lemar was followed by the Guardian's David Hytner revealing the terms of Arsenal's rejected offer: "Arsenal have had an offer of €35m (£30.74m) turned down by Monaco for Thomas Lemar, with the French club adamant they will not sell the winger."

While potentially missing out on a gifted wide player like Lemar is a blow for Gunners manager Arsene Wenger and his transfer plans, news that talks are continuing regarding Lacazette is welcome.

The prolific 26-year-old has the qualities Arsenal need up top, specifically perceptive movement and the pace to stretch defences in behind. Lacazette is also a more ruthless finisher than Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott, evidenced by 37 goals in all competitions for Lyon last season, per WhoScored.com.

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Arsenal had been linked with an offer worth £44 million for Lacazette, per Dominic Fifield of the Guardian. However, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has said it will take up to £57 million to secure the striker, per French publication L'Equipe (h/t Goal).

It's a hefty fee but one Wenger may be forced to pay as he continues his search for the one thing his squad lacks most, a truly dynamic centre-forward.