Arsenal Transfer News: Alexandre Lacazette Boost from Lyon, Top Gunners Rumours

Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette after the Ligue 1 club's manager, Bruno Genesio, admitted the Frenchman could leave before the end of the summer transfer window. 

Genesio told RTL (h/t TalkSport) he is eager for the 25-year-old to remain, but Lyon could be tempted into letting him go if the right offer comes in:

"He can leave if Lyon want him to. There are some offers that you cannot refuse. My desire as manager is that the best players stay, and Lacazette is very important for the team. I have been assured by my president that we will keep the player. You never know what could happen right up until August 31."

Per Sky Sports News HQ, Arsenal are preparing to lodge an improved bid for Lacazette having seen an initial offer just shy of £30 million rejected.

As noted by Rory O'Callaghan of Sky Sports, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has long insisted the France international is not for sale, but it is believed he could be available for around £40 million.

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Arsenal need greater firepower in attack, as Olivier Giroud has long underwhelmed as the No. 1 striker and is seen by many as "not good enough to lead Arsenal to the Premier League title," per David Hytner in the Guardian.

While Giroud, 29, has failed to reach 20 Premier League goals in his four seasons at the Emirates Stadium—his best return is 16 in a campaign—his compatriot Lacazette has netted a combined 48 times in the last two Ligue 1 terms, per WhoScored.com.

He is a lethal finisher and, unlike Giroud, consistently takes his chances when he gets them, per WhoScored:

With assistance from the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, Lacazette could be similarly prolific in the Premier League as he has been in the French top flight.

Top-class strikers such as Lacazette are few and far between on the transfer market, and Lyon have every right to hold out for a higher bid from Arsenal.

Gonzalo Higuain recently moved to Juventus from Napoli for just over £75 million, proof of the huge premium that prolific goalscorers command. But such players do have the ability to propel a side to greater things, and Lacazette could well be worth shelling out for.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is a reluctant big spender, but he has attempted to make moves in the transfer market for a new striker.

Per Hytner, he moved for Luis Suarez in 2013 and activated Jamie Vardy's release clause earlier this summer. Neither move succeeded, though, and Arsenal are still lacking the genuinely outstanding striker they need to finally maintain a Premier League title challenge again.

It seems clear that Lacazette is available as long as Lyon receive the right offer and Arsenal have the funds to meet his £40 million valuation.

While Wenger is historically reluctant to spend big, it is likely the only way he will be able to snag the quality of player he needs, and he should be prepared to splash out for Lacazette.