Alexandre Lacazette could complete a €50-million move to Arsenal in the coming days, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said.
Aulas had earlier denied reports the star forward was in London to undergo a medical, indicating the Premier League club were yet to meet Lyon’s asking price.
But he later confirmed that a deal for Lacazette was almost complete, with Arsenal to pay up to €50m for the 11-time France international, who is expected to sign a five-year deal.
“The figure reported by the English media of around €67m [including €12m in add-ons] is impossible and not realistic,” Aulas told Le Progres.
“Arsenal’s first offer was around €45m, the transfer will be concluded in the range of €45m to €50m.”
The deal would signal a club record for Arsenal, who paid Real Madrid €44m to sign Mesut Ozil in 2013.
Aulas talked up the fee, saying: “Being close to €50m is something unique and will probably be a record for Arsenal and Lyon as well.
“Knowing that, traditionally, a club like Arsenal – and this is the case for Bayern Munich also – don’t invest so much on a player.”
Lacazette, who came through the youth system at Lyon, was heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid before the La Liga club transfer ban was upheld.
He has 11 France caps and has made more than 250 appearances in all competitions for Lyon.
