Arsenal ready to pay £34.2m for third summer signing – report

Arsenal are prepared to pay the £34.2m fee that will trigger the release clause in Alexandre Lacazette’s contract and allow them to open talks with Lyon about signing the striker, according to reports in the British media.

The Telegraph is reporting that the north London club are ready to step up their pursuit of the French striker as Arsene Wenger looks to bolster his attacking options at Emirates Stadium.

Wenger has already signalled his intention to add some more firepower to his Arsenal squad with the club’s failed bid to sign Jamie Vardy from Leicester City.

Now, the same newspaper report goes on to say that although Arsenal have not yet lodged an official bid for Lacazette, the Gunners are preparing to step up their interest.

The same story says that the France international has already rejected the chance to join West Ham United in the summer transfer window.

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Arsenal are on the lookout for attacking reinforcements after the disappointment of their trophyless campaign last season, as they finished 10 points behind champions Leicester City.