After five years at Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette is set to leave north London at the end of this month, and according to reports, the French striker is set to join former side Lyon.
The Ligue 1 club is where Lacazette started his footballing career which ultimately led to the attacker joining Arsenal in 2017 for a reported £50m, with the striker set to sign for Lyon on a deal that is around half of what the forward made during his time in north London.
After a disappointing eighth-place finish and a UEFA Europa League quarter-final exit to West Ham, the pressure is on Lyon next season to deliver, namely for manager Peter Bosz, who is somewhat lucky to still be in charge at Les Gones.
Indeed, with Lacazette set to sign and Lyon ready to spend even more this summer, what could the French giants’ XI look like next season, and who else could join the Arsenal attacker in penning their future to the Ligue 1 side.
Issa Diop signs for Lyon as Emerson returns on permanent deal
With some freak results and 51 goals conceded, Lyon’s defence is an area that Bosz will have to improve this summer, and according to reports, West Ham defender Issa Diop could be an option for the French side.
The former Toulouse star has failed to make an impact at the Hammers since the arrival of David Moyes, and with a summer exit on the cards, a return to France with Lyon could be an excellent move for Diop, who is still only 25-years-old.
With teenagers Castello Lukeba and Malo Gusto enjoying breakout seasons, the duo retain their spots with the experienced and reliable Anthony Lopes in goal as Emerson Palmieri joins for good, with the Brazilian unlikely to play regular football for Chelsea next season.
Lyon beat Newcastle United and PSG to Seko Fofana deal
After losing Bruno Guimaraes in January, Lucas Paqueta is expected to also depart Lyon this summer, with the Brazilian international regarded by many as one of the best players in Ligue 1 as the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle United and PSG eye the former AC Milan star.
With Lyon reportedly demanding a club-record €70m for the South American, selling Paqueta opens the door for the French side to land RC Lens midfielder and rumoured Newcastle and PSG target Seko Fofana, who has been one of the best in his position in Ligue 1 for the past two seasons.
Making up the remainder of the midfield is former Arsenal wonderkid Jeff Reine-Adelaide, back from injury, and January signing Romain Faivre, who has impressed in central midfield under Bosz since joining from Stade Brest.
Alexandre Lacazette returns from Arsenal to replace Moussa Dembele
With Lacazette set to join from Arsenal, the arrival of the 30-year-old striker could open the door for Moussa Dembele to leave Lyon this summer, with the former Celtic star reportedly a £25m target for Tottenham.
Thankfully for Lyon, the departure of Dembele won’t be too much of a loss given the attacking talent the French side already have at their disposal, with Karl Toko Ekambi enjoying his best season to date in France last campaign with 18 goals in all competitions.
Over on the right, Lyon must do all they can to keep Tete at the club following the expiration of the winger’s contract. The Brazilian joined from Shakhtar Donetsk on a short-term deal in April, and if the Ligue 1 side can retain the youngster, Bosz will have a frighting front-three for next season.
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