Arsenal have completed the signing of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon, reportedly for a club-record fee.
The 26-year-old’s long-awaited arrival was officially announced on Wednesday, the striker signing a long-term deal after the Gunners paid a fee believed to be in the region of €60million.
That sum outstrips the €44m Arsenal paid to Real Madrid for Mesut Ozil in 2013.
“The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes,” Arsenal said in a brief statement.
Finally, it’s the news you’ve all been waiting for#LacaNewSigninghttps://t.co/hChokRNpc1
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 5, 2017
Lacazette arrives on the back of his most prolific season, scoring 37 goals in 45 games across all competitions as Lyon finished fourth in Ligue 1 and reached the Europa League semi-finals.
The forward had looked set to join up with France international team-mate, Antoine Griezmann, at Atletico Madrid earlier in the off-season, but the upholding of a transfer ban for the La Liga club forced an end to negotiations.
His arrival at Emirates Stadium may well pave the way for Olivier Giroud to leave, though the striker has expressed a desire to stay despite being linked to Marseille, West Ham and Everton.
“I am, of course, delighted and very proud too because Arsenal is a legendary club,” the Frenchman said about his team. “Throughout my childhood, thanks to Thierry Henry and other French players, I always dreamed of playing for this club so today that dream has been fulfilled.
“Arsenal’s past – I like clubs with a history. Also, the fact that the manager has been here for a while shows that it is a stable club which I like. In addition, there are quite a few French players here, which makes it easier to settle in. In my opinion, Arsenal is also the club that plays the best football in England so I really wanted to come here.
“In addition, there are quite a few French players here, which makes it easier to settle in. In my opinion, Arsenal is also the club that plays the best football in England so I really wanted to come here.”
Lacazette is a full French international with 11 caps to his name.
