Alexandre Lacazette Transfer Hopes Dented for Liverpool by New PSG Rumours

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in bringing Olympique Lyonnais striker Alexandre Lacazette to the Parc des Princes at the end of the season, speculation which could seriously impact Liverpool's chances of landing the prolific French forward.

Jonathan Johnson of ESPN FC suggests PSG are planning a spending spree when the summer window opens:

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

Le10Sport.com (h/t Daily Telegraph) previously reported Liverpool would make a bid for Lacazette during the current market. This speculation has died down since the 23-year-old sustained an injury after scoring in Lyon's 2-0 win over Metz on Jan. 25, as reported by The Associated Press (h/t USA Today).

Such a fitness problem is likely to restrict Lacazette to a summer move—the European window shuts on Feb. 2—unless anyone is willing to pay big for a player who isn't able to contribute right away.

The improving star has scored a stunning 25 goals and provided five assists in 29 matches this season, per WhoScored.com, producing plenty of rumoured interest.

You can see his quality below:

Lacezette previously suggested he would prefer a move to either the Premier League or La Liga, per Yahoo (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express).

"Between England and Spain, I don't have a preference," he said. "I dreamt about Barca when I was little, but once you grow up you know you cannot be on just one club."

He also wouldn't be drawn on suggestions he could join PSG, suggesting he wouldn't fit in with Laurent Blanc's current side, per Short:

"

PSG? We will see, it is hard the answer that now. To play with (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic and Lucas (Moura), I cannot say that I cannot see myself in this attack but it would more likely be a departure abroad. Afterwards, you never know what might happen.

"

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

PSG missed out on the capture of Angel Di Maria during the summer due to potential Financial Fair Play ramifications. It's likely the club's owners will want to make up for this by improving the side with major signings in time for next term, especially if Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani move on, as suggested by El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Will Giles of the Metro).

The report links Liverpool to both of these stars, so it's possible Brendan Rodgers' willingness to bring in either could aid PSG's quest to sign Lacazette.

He's a player who has the potential to be a global star, an out-and-out finisher who wins games on his own. Liverpool have been desperate for this kind of forward since Luis Suarez departed, a problem amplified by Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert continuing to misfire for the Reds.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Lacazette is set to develop when he receives a taste of Champions League football, something PSG will almost certainly be able to offer next season. Liverpool's ability to do the same could impact where he ends up, and indeed, the money Rodgers has at his disposal.