Alexandre Lacazette signs new long-term contract with Olympique Lyonnais

Alexandre Lacazette (R) is one of Europe's most wanted strikers

Lyon and France striker Alexandre Lacazette has signed a new long-term contract with Lyon ending any speculation of a move away. 

The striker was constantly linked with a move to Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and PSG among others. Any deal to take the striker now would be unlikely and extremely expensive. 

“People can stop talking [about me],” Lacazette said. “Now I hope we will only talk because I am scoring goals and winning games with Lyon.

"I let it be known my wish to stay at the club and to refuse any outside offer.

"The important thing for me was not whether I would extend my contract or not, but to stay at the club. I knew that I was going to stay here."

Lacazette was Ligue 1's top scorer last season after notching up an incredible 27 goals. He was also the third highest goal scorer in Europe's top five leagues only after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Lacazette has represented his country eight times is challenging the likes of Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema for that striker position. For Lyon, he is the top striker and has scored a total of 70 goals in 186 appearances – he's now looking forward to taking Lyon through the stages of the Champions League. 

 

Lyon finished second in Ligue 1 last season, second only to PSG, and are looking to make the right impressions in the transfer market to make their Champions League journey smooth. The most recent interest would be that of former-Marseille creative-midfielder, Mathieu Valbuena. The diminutive Frenchman joined Dynamo Moscow last season after citing 'financial gains' as the main reason but it looks increasingly likely that he's making a come-back to the French league. 

 

Elsewhere, Lyon having signed Manchester United right-back Rafael on a four-year contract. The Brazilian has been dropped out of the United eleven ever since the appointment of Louis van Gaal. 

 

Lyon have also rejected a £15m bid from Tottenham Hotspurs for their winger-starlet Clinton N'Jie. The speedy Cameroonian has been a revelation for Lyon with Hubert Fournier insisting that N'Jie's part of his plans and that Lyon aren't going to entertain any new offers. 

Lyon start their season by hosting Lorient on Monday evening and Fournier will hope his team have what it takes to properly challenge for the title this season. With Lacazette pinned down, they just might give PSG a run for their money.