Everton are understood to have made enquiries about signing Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.
According to the Daily Mail, Everton made enquiries about signing Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, but backed away once it became clear that he was joining Arsenal.
The Toffees have splashed the cash this summer by landing Jordan Pickford, Nathangelo Markelo, Michael Keane, Davy Klaassen, Henry Onyekuru and Sandro Ramirez, but another striker will still be a priority.
Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette
Romelu Lukaku is widely expected to leave the club this summer, and with Arouna Kone released and Oumar Niasse frozen out, Everton may have to spend big on another centre forward.
The Daily Mail now report that Everton did make contact over signing Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, but chose to back away from the pursuit when it became clear that he was joining Arsenal instead.
Lacazette, 26, has hit 129 goals in 275 games for Lyon after coming up through the ranks with his hometown club, but the Daily Mail now claim that he will be joining Arsenal in a club-record £44million deal this summer.
The French international would have been an exceptional signing for Everton to spearhead their attack, though they almost certainly needed to sell Lukaku first to fund such a huge move.
Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring for Lyon
However, Everton could yet benefit from Lacazette’s move to Arsenal, as it will push Toffees target Olivier Giroud further down the pecking order, and potentially give Ronald Koeman and co a greater chance of securing his signature.
Still, targeting Lacazette in the first place is another huge sign of Everton’s ambition thanks to Koeman and shareholder Farhad Moshiri, and whether Lukaku leaves or not, expect to see the club spend on another striker this summer.
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