Arsenal receive Alexandre Lacazette boost as Lyon boss admits £40m striker could be sold

Lyon chief Bruno Genesio has indicated there is a price at which the club will do business as Arsene Wenger seeks a new striker

Arsene Wenger is determined to bolster his strikeforce with Lacazette heading his list

Arsenal's chase for £40million Alexandre Lacazette has received a huge boost after Lyon admitted for the first time that the striker could be sold.

Bruno Genesio, manager of the French club, said: “He can leave if Lyon want him to. There are some offers that you cannot refuse.”

Arsene Wenger has already had a £29.3million bid for the 25-year-old marksman rejected and is set to return this week with an improved offer.  

Lyon president Jean Michel Aules has so far insisted Lacazette will not be sold but the comments from Genesio are the first indication that there is a price at which they are prepared to do business.  West Ham last month had a number of bids rejected before finally meeting Lyon’s asking price of £40million plus bonuses - only to be told by Lacazette that he has his heart set on joining a club in the Champions League.

Genesio suggested the door remains ajar for a deal with Arsenal to be done.

He added: “My desire as manager is that the best players stay and Lacazette is very important for the team.

“I have been assured by my president that we will keep the player. You never know what could happen right up until the 31st August.”