Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 7y

Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette reveals Atletico Madrid admiration

Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette has said he will be moving on this summer, while openly praising Atletico Madrid who are reportedly keen to sign him.

Lacazette, 25, has scored 35 goals in all competitions this season, as Lyon secured fourth spot in Ligue 1 and reached the Europa League semifinals.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas recently revealed Atletico have been chasing Lacazette for the last two years, and widespread reports say Diego Simeone's side have tabled a €40 million bid as they wait for the outcome of their appeal against a transfer ban with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The striker, who has a contract through to 2019, has told his current club's TV channel of his admiration for Atletico and plans to look for another challenge this summer.

"I like Atletico, they have great players, a great coach, great fans and Antoine [Griezmann] is there," Lacazette said. "We will see what happens at the end of the season and I will reflect on it. The media talk of many clubs, but I focus on what my agent says and we will see.

"I do not deny that I have done a lot for this club and I would like to look for another one now. But I am not leaving just to leave. And it will not be goodbye forever."

If cleared of their FIFA transfer ban, Atletico are likely to be in the market for new attacking talent ahead of 2017-18, with the club reportedly hoping to raise funds by offloading last summer's signings Kevin Gameiro and Nicolas Gaitan after both disappointed this year.

Griezmann's future is also uncertain amid regular speculation that Manchester United could bid up to €100m for his services, with the player himself having been unclear about his future plans.

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