Arsenal are ready to test Lyon’s assertion that Alexandre Lacazette is not for sale by making an improved bid for the France striker.

Having failed to persuade Jamie Vardy to leave Premier League champions Leicester City, Arsene Wenger had also targeted Lacazette but had an initial 35 million euros (£29.3 million) offer rejected. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas claimed on Thursday that Arsenal would not be returning with a new offer but the club are ready to bid around £35 million in the hope of solving their current striker shortage.