After Scoring 27 Goals Last Season, Liverpool Set To Sign £21m Arsenal Target

Liverpool have received the all clear to land Lyon prolific goalscorer Alexander Lacazette after the striker was reportedly told by the Ligue 1 outfit he would be allowed to leave.

As per Metro, OL manager Hubert Fournier has told his top hitman he can leave the club he so wishes.

The 24-year old’s impressive form for Lyon last term have alerted Europe top sides, including Liverpool and Arsenal. The report from the aforementioned source goes on to say the Reds are preparing a £21.2m swoop to lure the France international striker to Anfield.

Earlier last months, an Express report claimed Liverpool were looking to capitalise on the ineffectual talks between Lyon and Lacazette to make an astounding bid to secure the player’s services. Talks with the player over a new contract had stalled and the striker was considering making a transfer request.

Lacazette, 24, had his best season with the Ligue 1 outfit last term scoring 27 league goals in 31 appearances which helped Les Gones seriously challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the Ligue 1 crown but they eventually finish second behind the Paris-based side.

Brendan Rodgers was reportedly determined to meet the demands of Lyon for the powerful goal poacher whose contract with the French giants runs out in 2018, with talks over a deal for Chris Benteke stalling then. But now that the Belgian hitman has signed for the five-time Champions League winners, it remains to be seen if the Irish man still fancies Lacazette.

Lyon are willing to their youth graduate leave the Stade de Gerland this summer and Liverpool can now sign him if they can pay their (Lyon) £21m asking price for Lacazette.

The 24-year old finished as Ligue 1 top goal scorer last season, and also won the Ligue 1 player of the year. Signing Lacazette could pose a huge problem for Rodgers as regards strikers’ selection, with news that Daniel Sturridge will also be making a return from the rehabilitation of his hip surgery ahead of time.

Following Rickie Lambert’s recent sale to Westbromich Albion, Liverpool have Chris Benteke, Danny Ings, Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli -whose future is still in doubt – as the first team strikers.

Liverpool are also eyeing Lacazette’s team-mate Nabil Fekir for the central attacking midfield position in the team following Steven Gerrard’s departure at the end of last season.