Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Alexandre Lacazette Amid Liverpool Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly preparing to "hijack Arsenal's bid" for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette but won't do so until they've offloaded Christian Benteke. 

That's according to an exclusive from French magazine Le 10 Sport (h/t the Daily Star's Jamie Styles).

It follows Daniel Cutts' report for the Sun that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had "held talks" with the Frenchman and Jason Burt's piece for the Telegraph that stated he's willing to meet their £34.2 million valuation.

Arsenal have already added to their forward options with Takuma Asano this summer, but the Japanese youngster is untested at the highest level, so there will still be concerns the Gunners will lack the firepower needed to fire them to the Premier League title.

Though Lacazette hasn't played in England, he is among the most prolific strikers in France and netted 23 goals in all competitions for Lyon last season. Here are some of his best moments:

The 25-year-old is a pacey forward with strong dribbling skills and a real eye for goal. As WhoScored.com revealed, he is a ruthless finisher:

He is also fairly creative, despite registering just three assists last year—according to Squawka, he created 43 chances in Ligue 1, a figure that would likely result in more goals for his team at the Emirates Stadium as he links up with the likes of Alexis Sanchez.

Sportswriter Ryan Baldi believes he is even better than Chelsea's new signing Michy Batshuayi:

Either way, he's a player who could add more of a cutting edge to the Gunners' play.

However, it may require an even bigger fee to prise him away from Lyon than the figure reported, as the club have already lost Samuel Umtiti—one of their other biggest stars—to Barcelona this summer, per the Mirror's Ed Malyon:

Further, according to Get French Football News, he has no release clause:

As such, Lyon can demand whatever they want from any potential suitors. Wenger has shown a willingness to spend big money in the past with the signings of Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, but more often than not his frugal nature wins out.

Pulling off this deal at a price Wenger is prepared to pay may be difficult indeed.