Jean-Michel Aulas: 'Alexandre Lacazette can reach Karim Benzema's level'

Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has claimed that Alexandre Lacazette can go on to reach the same level as Karim Benzema.

Lacazette has scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 this season to attract reported interest from clubs across Europe, but Aulas believes that the 23-year-old can get even better with Lyon, rather than leave for another country like Benzema did when he joined Real Madrid in 2009.

"If we speak about efficiency, I think that Lacazette possesses the same characteristics as Benzema," Aulas told reporters. "The difference would be in their career. Alexandre could reach his highest level with Lyon.

"I would like to give Lacazette the chance to play for his dream club – the club he was trained with, Lyon."

Lacazette's current deal expires in the summer of 2018.