Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette in reportedly open to a move to West Ham this summer, according to French source Foot01.
The Hammers have made Lacazette their number one transfer target this summer as they look to stay true to their claim of spending the majority of their transfer budget this window on a big-name striker.
West Ham submitted a club-record £32m bid for the French international striker yesterday, which was subsequently rejected by the Ligue 1 club as they are looking for a fee closer to £40m to part ways with their star striker.
It was suggested that the 24-year-old forward would only consider leaving the club this summer for a bigger European club who are playing Champions League football.
While that may be his preferred move, it’s believed that Lacazette is not put off by West Ham and would consider joining the Hammers this summer if the deal was right for him.
It’s understood that having seen Dimitri Payet leave Marseille and become a Premier League star with the Hammers, maintain impressive form and secure a place in the French national side, Lacazette believes he could accomplish the same should he leave for East London.
Even though they aren’t in the Champions League, Lacazette would be paid more at West Ham who are competing in the Europa League next season and, with a good summer of recruitment, could find themselves in a battle for the Champions League places again.
Lyon club president Jean-Michel Aulas has continued to keep negotiations with West Ham open despite rejecting their second bid for Lacazette in the hope that they will increase their offer.
West Ham are believed to come in with a final, improved bid to sign Alexandre Lacazette in the coming days. Whether they will meet the asking price of £40m remains to be seen. This is a transfer saga to keep an eye on.
