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Six goals in three games: Reported Arsenal summer target named Player of the Month
By Will Butcher
Lyon’s attacking spearhead Alexandre Lacazette has been named Ligue 1 Player of the Month after a prolific start to the season.
The 25-year-old was reportedly high on Premier League duo West Ham and Arsenal’s shortlist this summer, with both clubs said to have had bids rejected for the France international.
The Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels revealed via their official Twitter account that the Lyon striker has won the prestigious monthly award.
Début de saison canon pour @LacazetteAlex !
Vous l'avez élu meilleur joueur du mois d'août de @Ligue1#TropheesUNFP pic.twitter.com/aifdnwgVBP— UNFP (@UNFP) September 5, 2016
Lyon’s number 10 has scored six goals in just three Ligue 1 games for Bruno Genesio’s side, including a sublime hat-trick against Nancy.
Earlier in the summer both Arsenal and West Ham unsuccessfully tried to prise the striker from the Lyon team.
Sky Sports transfer expert Kaveh Solhekol reported via his Twitter account that the French club had rejected a £43million offer from the Hammers for Lacazette.
Lyon owner Jean-Michel Aulas tells French TV station SFR he turned down €50m (£43m) offer from West Ham for Alexandre Lacazette this summer
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) August 29, 2016
The BBC revealed that Arsenal also had a bid rejected for the 10-time international earlier this summer, which was said to be around £29million.
The Lyon academy graduate has scored 98 goals in 234 appearances since he graduated through the Parc Olympique youth ranks.
Lacazette has three years remaining on his Lyon contact and has reportedly signed a new deal with Lyon, which includes a £60million release clause.
In other Arsenal news, the Gunners’ official Twitter account has sent this message to Nottingham Forest’s new signing Nicklas Bendtner.