Arsenal and Manchester United dealt a huge blow in their quest to sign Alexandre Lacazette as Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas reveals he has agreed a switch to Atletico Madrid
The 25-year-old French striker has banged in 37 goals in all competitions this season as he carries on his lethal reputation in front of goal
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ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE has agreed a switch to Atletico Madrid according to Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.
The French striker has been in lethal form again this season and has already confirmed he will be leaving the Ligue 1 side in the summer.
The news will come as a huge blow for Arsenal and Manchester United who have held a long-term interest in the centre-forward.
There are still complications whether the 25-year-old will be able to move to Diego Simeone's side as they are waiting on a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport to lift their transfer ban, after breaking FIFA rules on signing youth players.
Speaking to French newspaper L'Equipe, Aulas said: "Alex has a verbal agreement with a club, Atletico, but there is no certainty, since we have to wait for CAS to lift the ban.
"We accepted Alex's request to discuss exclusively with this club, but the other side of that is that this transfer is made on our terms.
Lacazette, who has a contract until 2019 with Lyon, said recently: "I think it’s the right moment. I want to discover something else, to put myself under pressure and to gain a level.
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"I score goals but I know that on a European scale I am not yet very recognised.
"I want to see if I can answer the questions that people are asking, and to make further progress.”
He added of interest from the Li Liga club: "It’s good, Atletico. It is a club that has been in the last stages of the Champions League for several years. It is a great team, in a new stadium, and it is also a club that makes the players progress."
The Les Bleus international recently notched up his 100th league goal for Lyon with a brace against Nice - his 129th overall, as he has banged in 37 strikes in all competitions this campaign.