Lyon sporting director Juninho Pernambucano has confirmed that he held talks with Alexandre Lacazette earlier this year over a loan move from Arsenal.
The France international, who swapped Lyon for Arsenal in a £42.5m deal three years ago, found himself out of favour in North London at the turn of the year.
Juninho hoped to bring Lacazette back to the Groupama Stadium on a short-term contract, but the 29-year-old stayed put at Arsenal and ended the 2019-20 campaign on a high by helping the Gunners to FA Cup success.
"In January I called Alexandre Lacazette to chat a bit with him," Juninho is quoted as saying by The Mirror.
"He was having problems at Arsenal and I said to myself: 'Why not do a loan for six months with us where you will enjoy yourself, play all the games and score the goals like you know how to? And then you go back to Arsenal or somewhere else'."
Lacazette is rumoured to be a target for Atletico Madrid this summer, possibly as part of a swap deal involving midfielder Thomas Partey.
Daniel Lewis
