Lacazette admission sees Arsenal hopes fading fast

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette has ruled out a move to a “kick and rush” team and says he will only consider a Champions League side.

The 25-year-old looks all set to move on this summer after a terrific season in Ligue 1 scoring 24 goals in 27 appearances and his club have said all along they are likely to cash in on the forward, who has two years left on his contract in France.

Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are all believed to be tracking the France forward, whose record in all competitions this season reads: played 40, goals scored 31, assists four.

Arsenal reportedly saw a £30million bid for Lacazette rejected in the summer, while West Ham lodged a club-record bid of £43million, which Lyon also turned down.

And now Lacazette has narrowed down the field and Arsenal could be one of those left wanting with hopes of Champions League football fading.

“[The team I will join] will have to be in the Champions League and play good football.

“Passing the ball, not just hitting it from box to box. Not kick and rush. That would not work for me,” said Lacazette.

Atletico and Dortmund will likely be able to offer Lacazette Champions League football, but Arsenal’s hopes are hanging by a thread as they find themselves six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.

Lacazette has been long since linked with a move from Lyon, where he has come up through the ranks.

In February this year he admitted the time was becoming right to find a new challenge.

“I think it has arrived at the right time, I think this summer will be the moment when we will have to change the air and discover something else,” Lacazette told Canal+.

“Always with the idea of advancing and progressing football and on a human level.”

Meanwhile, earlier this year Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas  promised “very signficant sales” and Lacazette will surely be that with his price tag set to be in excess of £40million.