Alexandre Lacazette to Arsenal: What we know so far

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Standard Sport5 July 2017

Arsene Wenger is set to make Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette his first major summer signing for Arsenal.

The France international has been a long-term target for Arsenal with a move failing to materialise last summer, but the Gunners are within hours of confirming a deal worth up to £52million.

An interest in Monaco's teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe remains ongoing, but Wenger continues to tie up a deal for Lacazette in the meantime.

Here's everything we know so far courtesy of James Olley and James Benge...

Arsenal transfer targets for summer 2017

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Is the deal close?

Lacazette's move to Arsenal is imminent. The Lyon striker arrived at London Colney on Tuesday to complete the paperwork formalities and a medical, with an announcement due within the next 24 hours.

Arsenal moved quickly to ensure a deal was in place in time for their tour to Australia - for which they fly out on Sunday - and will hope that Lacazette can play a significant part in their pre-season preparations, which begin on July 13.

Lacazette is set to sign a five-year contract at the Emirates as part of a club record deal worth an initial £45m. Subject to a series of clauses in the deal with Lyon that figure could reach £52m, making the him the fourth most expensive player in Premier League history.

​Lyon signed Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore in late June and Mariano Diaz from Real Madrid, but neither forward is certain to be a direct replacement for Lacazette.

What is Arsenal's budget?

Standard Sport reported earlier in June that Wenger has been handed £100m to bolster his squad.

The much-maligned manager has recommitted for another two years and has confirmed he wants "a maximum of three" new faces.

With Sead Kolasinac already in training for Arsenal after his free transfer from Schalke, Arsenal clearly have the money to sign Lacazette.

The other half of the budget potentially puts them in with a chance of competing for Monaco attacker Thomas Lemar, who will cost well over the £30m fee the Ligue 1 champions have already reportedly turned down from the Gunners.

How much does Wenger want him?

A lot. Wenger has been tracking Lacazette for a while and failed with a bid of £30m (€35m) for the striker last summer - an offer Lyon confirmed.

The Gunners then turned attentions to the cheaper Lucas Perez who, 12 months on, is likely to be sold after his agent confirmed the forward wants first-team football away from the Gunners.

Is he good enough?

Thierry Henry has given Lacazette his seal of approval, telling beIN Sports: “For me, what Lacazette is doing is extraordinary.

"He has become aware of his qualities and he is especially aware that he cannot be average. Congratulations to him, really."

Henry has reason to effusive with his praise, too. Three years ago he became the first Lyon player to score over 25 goals in a Ligue 1 campaign, a feat even Karim Benzema failed to do. He did it again last season, notching 28 goals in 30 games.

Across all competitions, Lacazette has 127 goals in 274 appearances and 37 goals last season alone with, according to Opta, a shot-conversion rate of 33.3%. That's better than Luis Suarez, Harry Kane and move than twice as good as Cristiano Ronaldo's.

What does it mean for Olivier Giroud?

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Lyon have ended their pursuit of Giroud, claiming Arsenal want to keep the striker.

The Ligue 1 outfit completed the signing of Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore for £8.8million on Monday, signalling the end of their interest in Giroud.

Lyon president Aulas had previously confirmed talks had taken place with Giroud, though the striker still retained hope of being the Gunners' first-choice striker next season.

However, the arrival of Lacazette - and (potentially but unlikely) Kylian Mbappe - could force Giroud to re-evaluate his plans.

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