Arsenal and Manchester United’s search for a new striker could leave them both targeting Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Lacazette was widely expected to join Atletico Madrid this summer and had already agreed terms with The Rojiblancos.
However, that particular transfer has been thrown into serous doubt after the club saw an appeal over their transfer ban rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. That decision means that the La Liga side are unable to register any new players until January.
Lacazette would still be permitted to sign for the club, but would be unable to play until his registration was formalised in 2018, an unlikely prospect considering the World Cup being around the corner and the competition for places in the France squad.
Lyon President Jean-Marie Aulas said:
“Real and Barcelona saw their punishments reduced with a favourable decision, but it wasn’t the case for Atletico,
“Of course, that has changed everything. This is bad news and good news. It was, in financial terms, a very significant transaction.
“We had given Alex the green light to go to Atletico, the club of his heart.
“I’ve not had his agent on the phone, nor him, as I’ve been in Cardiff [for the Women’s Champions League final]. But I had said to Alexandre not to get too far ahead of himself, as there can always be disappointments in football.
“It brings into question the commitments made on both sides. We had made progress on possible solutions.”
Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked with the striker in the past, and are in the market for a new goalscorer is summer, meaning the 26-year-old could be back on their radars.
Aulas did throw up an alternative prospect however, a prospect of Lacazette remaining in Lyon until January before finally moving to Atletico as previously agreed:
“The solution would be for him to stay here until the ban is over
“Football has a magical ability to throw everything up in the air. We might have one extra striker next season.”
