'Lacazette to stay' - Fournier

 

Premier League clubs interested in the services of Alexandre Lacazette have been served a blow in their pursuit of the Lyon striker after manager Hubert Fournier insisted the Frenchman wants to stay at the Ligue 1 outfit this summer.

 

Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been liked with the 24-year-old in recent weeks, but will seemingly have to look at other alternatives if they want to bolster their respective offensive options.

 

The France international was one of the most prolific strikers in Europe last season, scoring 27 goals in Ligue 1, a feat that only Cristiano Ronaldo (48) and Lionel Messi (43) could better across Europe’s top five leagues.

 

After such exploits, Lacazette has understandably courted interest from the elite of European football, but Fournier insists he will not be leaving Stade de Gerland this summer.

 

'Lacazette to stay' - Fournier

 

“Olympique Lyonnais,” replied the Lyon boss when quizzed where Lacazette would be plying his trade next season. “I haven’t got much to say. He has said he wants to stay with us.

 

“Of course some clubs are going to be attracted to the sort of player he is, but he is under contract at Lyon and with all the different competitions we have this season with the Champions League and the domestic French cups, we obviously want to keep him at the club.”

 

The Lyon head coach was speaking ahead of the Emirates Cup in London where they will play Arsenal, who have expressed an interest in signing a new striker, on Saturday.

 

For more stats on Alexandre Lacazette, click here to view his WhoScored player page