Alexandre Lacazette wants to quit Lyon this summer. (AFP/Getty Images)

Arsenal are edging closer to signing Alexandre Lacazette after Lyon’s president confirmed that the striker wants to leave this summer.

Arsene Wenger’s side submitted a £44million offer for the 26-year-old and the French club have indicated that they would be willing to sell if they can find a suitable replacement.

Lyon’s president, Jean-Michel Aulas, has held talks with Arsenal this month over a deal for Olivier Giroud, and he has now suggested that signing the France international as Lacazette’s successor is still a possibility.

‘Alexandre should have left for Atletico [Madrid], but that could not be done, he wants to leave and we want to keep him, but the decision is not made and recent offers have confirmed his wishes,’ Aulas told AFP.

Arsenal have bid £44m for Lacazette. (AFP/Getty Images)

‘The case would obviously be the arrival of a player capable of scoring 25 to 30 goals per year. He will be a France international or a player from a very large European club.

‘We will try to find the solution. Alexander leaves, if he wants to leave.’

Latest reports suggest Arsenal are closer to meeting Lyon’s demands for their star player, having significantly upped their initial offer of £40m to a bid of £44m plus potential add-ons, with the clubs now just £3.5m apart in their valuations, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Arsenal now reportedly hope they can complete the deal imminently and possibly announce the arrival of Lacazette by next week.

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