Exclusively PSG and Lyon have reached an agreement for the transfer of Alexandre Lacazette.
This sensational deal includes a loan back to Lyon for the 2015/16 season. The player has, according to our source, agreed to a five year contract with the Ligue 1 champions, which means that when he returns to PSG in the summer of 2016, he will have four years remaining on his deal.
It is our understanding that the broad-brush transfer agreement was reached on Thursday in a meeting in Paris. Lyon President Jean Michel Aulas, PSG President Nasser Al Khelaifi, agent David Venditelli and Alexandre Lacazette were all present.
Sources tell us that Alexandre Lacazette was therefore absent for a period of time on Thursday from Clairefontaine as the French national team continued to prepare for their friendly match vs Belgium. This absence was explained away by Lacazette who claimed to “be feeling unwell” to the rest of the team. In reality, he was on his way to Paris. Didier Deschamps was informed of the actual reason for his absence and gave his go-ahead for Lacazette to make the meeting.
The only other person that Lacazette is understood to have informed about the meeting was Lyon and France team-mate Nabil Fékir. The details of the fee and contract agreement will follow, but an agreement in principle has been reached. Alexandre Lacazette to PSG.
Such a deal fundamentally pleases all three parties. Jean Michel Aulas gets to keep Lacazette for the forthcoming 2015/16 campaign and the French international will play Champions League football for Lyon, as well as playing for his current side in their new stadium, the Grand Stade OL. PSG’s recruitment takes a more pro-French player angle, which is something that Laurent Blanc and Nasser Al Khelaifi have been hoping to achieve, but the manager will not have an added selection headache upfront either. Instead of having Lacazette, Ibrahimovic and Cavani at the club all at the same time, Ibrahimovic and Cavani will continue at PSG, with the Swede bowing out when his contract expires in 2016. Lacazette will then take over.
As for the player, Lacazette is set to receive a substantial wage rise and play for a team that can challenge for the Champions League.
While it is our understanding that certain specifics are still to be finalised, an agreement is in place for the transfer.
