Talks between both clubs over Lacazette will continue next week

Arsenal have made a club-record bid of £44 million for Alexandre Lacazette and hope to complete a deal with Lyons next week.

If the France striker agrees personal terms the transfer would eclipse the £42.5 million fee that Arsenal paid Real Madrid for Mesut Özil four years ago.

Arsenal had a bid for Lacazette rejected last summer when the player opted to stay at Lyons, but the 26-year-old now wants to leave the club where he has spent his entire career after coming through the academy.

Lacazette had hoped to join Atletico Madrid this summer, but the Spanish club’s transfer ban has removed that possibility.

He is believed to be open to joining Arsenal after talks took place between the London club and the Lyons