Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette is set to rejoin Lyon on a free transfer, Fabrizio Romano reports.
The 31-year-old’s contract at the Emirates Stadium is due to expire this summer and he will not be extending his stay.
Lacazette has already passed a medical ahead of his Lyon return.
Arsenal Striker Set to Return to Former Club Lyon
Lacazette’s Time at Arsenal
Lacazette joined Arsenal in 2017 with the potential to add goals to the Gunners. However, leaves the club with a general feeling of disappointment. The French striker scored just six goals in his final season in North London – with just four of them in the Premier League.
Mikel Arteta’s side are undergoing more change with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang allowed to leave in January and Lacazette now to follow.
Since the beginning of the 2017/18 season, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have scored 38% of Arsenal’s Premier League goals:
◉ 68 – Auba
◉ 54 – LacaIt’s the end of an era. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/4uHlciKIlw
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 3, 2022
In his time at Arsenal, Lacazette scored 71 goals and assisted a further 36 in 206 games. He lifted the FA Cup in 2020 and a Community Shield in 2017.
He has not been able to establish himself as a regular for Didier Deschamps at international level, making just 16 appearances for France in his career so far.
Read More: Alexandre Lacazette Officially Leaves Arsenal
Lyon Return
Lacazette will return to familiar surroundings in France. He was a Coupe de France winner in 2012 and lifted the Trophee des Champions in the same year. Born in Lyon, he spent most of his youth at the club and played 275 times for the first team, scoring 129 goals and assisting 43, helping him gain a reputation as a goalscorer across Europe. His return will allow him to add to his tally and potentially end his career in better form.
Lyon finished eighth in Ligue 1 in 2021/22, failing to qualify for European competition and leaving them with something to find for next season. They will hope Lacazette’s return can inspire them to greater heights.
