Arsenal Transfer News: Alexandre Lacazette Snub Amid Atletico Madrid Rumours

Alexandre Lacazette will reportedly be allowed to leave Lyon this summer, but he will turn down a move to Arsenal in favour of joining Atletico Madrid. 

According to the Mirror's John Cross, the forward is Arsenal's "No. 1 summer target" and Liverpool are also interested in him but Atletico have lined up a £50 million deal, "which they hope to push through within days."

Lacazette wants to join a club with UEFA Champions League football, but Arsenal will only finish in the Premier League's top four if they beat Everton on the final day and Liverpool fail to beat Middlesbrough.

Per Cross, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said: "Alex had a good option with a club that is in his heart. If the club of his heart is able to match our demands then things will go well. Otherwise, it will depend on our other business."

The Gunners haven't had much trouble finding the net this season—Alexis Sanchez has racked up 28 goals in all competitions, while Theo Walcott has 19 and Olivier Giroud has 16.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Even Danny Welbeck and Lucas Perez, who have played just 766 and 948 minutes, respectively, have chipped in with four and seven goals.

Nevertheless, a top striker could give them further cutting edge and Lacazette would be an excellent candidate.

The 25-year-old has racked up 35 goals and five assists in 44 matches in all competitions this season, and he is a ruthless finisher, as demonstrated by WhoScored.com:

While his efforts ultimately weren't quite enough, the Frenchman did his best to overturn a 4-1 deficit against Ajax in Lyon's UEFA Europa League semi-final, per football writer Robin Bairner:

"

#Lacazette has dragged #Lyon back into the Europa League semi versus Ajax with two goals in the space of a minute. 2-1 at the break.

— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) May 11, 2017"

Jerome Pugmire of the Associated Press is a huge admirer of the pacey forward:

He would be an outstanding capture for the Gunners, but if they don't finish in the top four, it could be a real blow to their chances of landing him.

Further, Arsenal's success in front of goal might also prove a hindrance this summer should manager Arsene Wenger remain in charge.

Provided their forward players stay, the Frenchman can point to their impressive goal tallies and Welbeck's return to fitness as justification the club don't need to recruit more firepower.