There are transfer rumours, and then there are ‘transfer rumours’.
Around Tuesday lunchtime, Le10 Sport in France claimed that talks had started between Arsenal and Lyon in France regarding a potential Olivier Giroud and Alexandre Lacazette trade deal.
While the idea isn’t a terrible one on paper, a few things stand in the way of this actually happening, mostly the fact that the Gunners’ striker isn’t particularly interested in a return to France just yet.
Despite this, Le10 explain that Arsenal aren’t totally against the idea, and any transfer would have to include Olivier Giroud + money for Alexandre Lacazette, who is valued at around €60m by Lyon.
Of course, Lyon are going to have to replace Lacazette if he leaves, but with Giroud?
It doesn’t make sense, especially considering how they tried to play last season under Bruno Génésio, with a fluid attacking trio.
They already have the likes of Maxwel Cornet and Nabil Fékir who can step in for Lacazette if needed, as well as, if they so wish, Aldo Kalulu returning from loan.
Furthermore, Lyon have never really been in the ‘buying 31-year-old strikers’ business, preferring to either buy young or develop their forwards through their youth system.
There are always exceptions, but we can’t exactly see Olivier Giroud being one of them, especially with Wenger’s renewal.
