Alexandre Lacazette Transfer Rumours: Latest News and Speculation on Lyon Star

Alexandre Lacazette is drawing increasing attention from the Premier League, with both Liverpool and Manchester City reportedly interested in a January deal. However, an injury could hamper a potential transfer.

Continue for updates.

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Will Lacazette's Injury Impact Potential Transfer?

Monday, Jan. 26

ESPN's Jonathan Johnson revealed Lacazette has suffered an injury. While reporting a potential timeline for his recovery, Johnson also weighed in on what the injury means for a potential transfer:

OptaJean provided additional background:

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Liverpool Bid Expected

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Hannah Duncan of the Metro reports the latest coming out of French publication Le10 Sport:

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Liverpool are set to dip into the transfer market in the coming days with a bid for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, according to reports in France.

[...] According to French outlet Le10Sport, Brendan Rodgers is now ready to table an offer for the in-form 23-year-old, who has hit an impressive 23 goals in as many games for Lyon this term.

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Man City Eye €32m Deal

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette is reportedly the subject of a €32 million bid from Manchester City, according to reports.

Eurosport tweeted the story set in motion by French newspaper Le Progres:

Lacazette has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, scoring 22 goals and providing five assists in 20 matches for Lyon, per WhoScored.com at the time of writing. Nineteen of these have come in Ligue 1, providing Lyon with a one-point lead over Marseille.

The 23-year-old is currently seven goals clear of Andre-Pierre Gignac atop the division's scoring chart. He has netted a goal every 93 minutes during the campaign and averages 3.4 shots per match, a number only Gignac (4.0) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (3.7) beat at the time of writing. 

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

Lacazette's all-round quality makes him a constant threat. He is quick, an excellent dribbler and able to execute creative passes. The improving striker isn't afraid to try his luck from distance and has the natural drive to become one of Europe's most feared forwards at an elite club outside of France.

OptaJean highlighted Lacazette's efficiency after he netted two goals in Sunday's 3-0 win over Toulouse:

The player's attributes are highlighted below:

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas recently suggested Lacazette is a better player than Real Madrid's Gareth Bale—who commanded a world-record transfer fee of £85 million in 2013—suggesting he would expect a similar sum for his prized asset. 

"What's the name of the Welshman at Real Madrid? I think Alexandre is a lot better," said Aulas, reported by Le Parisien (h/t Alec Fenn of Goal.com). "But Alexandre doesn't have a price, so it's pointless thinking of one."

Ligue 1 writer Andrew Gibney also noted Lacazette is unlikely to be sold:

City recently confirmed the signing of Swansea City forward Wilfried Bony, a transfer which set them back up to £28 million, per BBC Sport. The Premier League champions received a fine and squad cap after breaching UEFA's Financial Fair Play guidelines last season, suggesting a bid for Lacazette would be difficult without a player moving out of the club.

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

Simon Jones of the Daily Mail reports Juventus have offered Stevan Jovetic a loan escape for the rest of the campaign. City are said to have turned this down in an attempt to recoup the £22 million they spent on the Montenegrin in 2013. Jovetic has struggled for form and fitness since his arrival, making a transfer of this sum unlikely.

Arsenal and Liverpool are also said to be interested in Lacazette, reported by Anthony Chapman of the Express. The player's form ensures many of Europe's top clubs are likely to lurk throughout the current transfer window.

Ambitious suitors may wish to tempt Lyon in January, or else risk paying an even greater sum in the summer if Lacazette fires Les Gones to the domestic title.