Olympique Lyonnais striker Alexandre Lacazette was recently named Ligue 1 Player of the Year (2014/15), and made the Ligue 1 Team of the Year (2014/15), following an incredible campaign that has seen him score 27 goals in 33 games for the French giants. It wasn’t enough to lead them to the title, but his antics haven’t gone unnoticed by the elite clubs in Europe, and his future could well be away from the Stade de Gerland as a result.
He’s so far been a one-club man in professional football, which is certainly surprising given he’s been on the radar for a host of sides for the last couple of seasons, and this summer could well be his last with his boyhood team. Lacazette has been outstanding in the division, and reportedly wants to move to a top side in order to win trophies. The likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with his services, but the French club are fighting his sale.
“Nothing is ever sure in football but we will do everything to keep Alexandre with us. €50m would not be enough, that is not the price. I have never spoken with (the PSG president) Nasser al-Khelaifi about Alexandre Lacazette and I do not get the feeling, when I listen to Laurent Blanc, that he wants to sign him,” said Lyon chairman, Jean-Michel Aulas.
Lyon have a fantastic record with developing players into top European talents. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and striker Karim Benzema are their best exports in recent times, joining Tottenham and Real Madrid respectively. Lacazette could well be the next player to make the big-money move, and his scoring record suggests he will succeed in any league.
The Ligue 1 runners-up simply don’t have the financial muscle to keep the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain quiet if either side has a transfer target, so it’s unlikely they can convince the talented striker to stay for another season, especially if offers are tabled. Lacazette turns 24 at the end of the month, and is at the time where he should be close to playing his best football before hitting the peak age.
From what he has shown in his time with Lyon, the Frenchman could be one of the best strikers in Europe under the right guidance. He will only ever go so far with Les Rogues, and the lack of a trophy this season won’t have helped matters.
Has Lacazette outgrown Ligue 1?
