Liverpool are continuing to keep tabs on Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette according to the Daily Mail.
SEE MORE:
Liverpool transfer news
Andre Dossena’s son caused former Liverpool defenders’s arrest
Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool future: 4 reasons for & against sacking, with report claiming boss’s job is unsafe
The Reds will have some fight on their hands if they want to sign the 23-year-old, who has managed a quite staggering 27 goals this season for the Ligue 1 side and has been a key part of Lyon’s battle with Paris Saint Germain for the French league title.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are all said to be after the Frenchman by the Mail.
And with such an extensive list of suitors Liverpool would therefore have to be prepared to shell out some quite significant funds to get their man, especially with Lyon desperate for cash and itching to start a bidding war amongst the interested parties.
The Mail say to accommodate Lacazette, the club will look to move on Fabio Borini. Inter Milan are thought to be interested in the Italian, while West Bromwich Albion are expected to return with an offer for Rickie Lambert in the summer after being unable to agree a deal in the January transfer window.
Meanwhile, Divock Origi will return from his season long loan from Lille, though there is no mention of Mario Balotelli’s current or future situation.
As well as Lacazette, the Mail believes the club will try to sign a midfielder, a full-back and a goalkeeper to rival, not replace, Simon Mignolet.
It’s a strangely definitive declaration from the Mail that almost has you believing it without question, but as always with transfer guff at this time of the season it has to be determined who’s the source behind this story.
Perhaps the club are incredibly interested in the striker’s services, though why would they want to declare this to press and thus their rivals who might then try and pre-empt any Liverpool move?
There’s no doubting we could do with a striker of Lacazette’s immense caliber but sadly the more likely explanation in this scenario is that the supposed interest of the club is being used as a way to draw out potential bids by making clubs fearful they could lose out on the Frenchman.
It’s almost an announcement ahead of the summer that Lacazette wants out and is for sale. A come and get me plea, of sorts.
Let us hope, at least, that even if there is a hidden agenda in this story by the player’s agent and it’s all smoke and mirrors, the club are looking at players of Lacazette’s ilk in the summer to ensure we are back challenging for top honours from the off next season.