CALIFORNIA. — Arsene Wenger has responded to Lyon’s claims over Alexandre Lacazette. Wenger has hinted at his frustration with Lyon after they went public with Arsenal’s transfer offer for Lacazette this week. The French Ligue 1 outfit announced that a bid of £29million for Lacazette from the Gunners had been rejected, as they look to hold on to the 25-year-old forward for the forthcoming season.

Reports suggest the north London club are lining up an improved offer in excess of £33.5million for Lacazette but Wenger remains unhappy with how Lyon have dealt with proceedings.

The Gunners have been closely linked with a move for Lacazette this summer as Wenger looks to bolster his attacking options.

French publication Le Progres claimed the north London outfit had offered £40m for the 25-year-old.

But Lyon were quick to dismiss those claims in a statement released on their official Twitter account.

The French club say the offer they knocked back was actually only worth £29m.

And now, speaking ahead of his side’s meeting with the MLS All-Stars in California, Wenger has had his say.

“Lyon are comfortable with their own statements,” said the Frenchman.

“I think in situations like this it is always best to keep things as secret as possible. If we sign someone, we will announce it. Until then, I can’t say much more than that.”

Lacazette made 34 top flight appearances last term, scoring an impressive 21 goals as Lyon secured a second place finish in Ligue 1.

He has a further three years to run on his current deal in France after putting pen to paper on an extension last summer.

And Arsenal are now set to launch an improved offer in excess of £33.5million for Lacazette in the coming days, according to reports in France.

Lacazette has scored 92 goals in 230 appearances for Lyon since making his debut for the Ligue 1 outfit back in 2010 but the 25-year-old is now being heavily linked with a move to the Emirates.

On Tuesday, Lyon announced that they had rejected a £29m bid from the Gunners for the France international forward as Wenger scours the market for attacking reinforcements.

Considering West Ham had an offer of £33.5m turned down for Lacazette in June, it’s hardly surprising that Arsenal’s lower bid was also rebuffed by the French side.

However, L’Equipe suggest the north London club are ready to test Lyon’s resolve once again with a higher offer than the Hammers lodged last month.

Lyon have told Arsenal to pay £40million plus bonuses if they want to seal the transfer of Lacazette, reports say.

The Ligue 1 side told the Gunners to cough up the big fee before Wenger’s relatively paltry bid of £29million for the 25-year-old.

Lyon confirmed they had flatly rejected and described him as “irreplaceable”.

However, they will do business at £40m, according to the Mirror.

Wenger is determined to sign a striker this summer after missing out on top targets Jamie Vardy and Gonzalo Higuain.

Wenger is facing the possibility of having one fit striker, Chuba Akpom, for his side’s opening fixture in the English Premier League against Liverpool. — The Daily Star.

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