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Alexandre Lacazette can leave Lyon if right replacement is found - Aulas

Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has said he will let Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette leave if the club can find a suitable replacement.

Aulas told reporters he would not stand in Lacazette's way if "he absolutely wants to leave" but stressed that no concrete offer has yet been received.

He confirmed over the weekend that Arsenal had expressed interest and he had told them they would have to match the €65 million Atletico Madrid had offered.

That deal fell through when Atleti's transfer ban was upheld, opening the way to a potential Arsenal move.

"He had expressed his desire to leave for the club of his heart [Atletico], and we had given our consent, but things didn't work out so today our position is to keep him as long as we haven't found a replacement for him," Aulas told reporters.

"For the moment, we haven't received any firm offers regarding him, but that could happen at any time.

"We want high quality, motivated players, so if Alexandre absolutely wants to leave and there are offers which correspond with what he wants, we'll listen carefully as long as they correspond with the idea we have of the player's worth."

Lacazette is one of the most sought-after forwards in European football after scoring 37 goals in 45 games for Lyon last season.

On Monday, Lyon announced the €10 million signing of Chelsea striker Bertrand Traore on a five-year deal.