Arsenal willing to pay £35m for French striker

Arsenal are prepared to pay up a fee of around £35m to sign Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette, should Alexis Sanchez part ways with the club this summer.

Sanchez, 28, looks to be heading for the Emirates exit door after having declined to extend his contract beyond the summer of 2018.

Manchester City and Bayern Munich are among the key suitors for the Chilean, but the Gunners could snub advances from the former, who are their direct league rivals.

According to The Times, the Gunners are willing to cough up a sum of around £35m for Lacazette, who is on the search for a new club this summer.

Arsene Wenger's side failed with a similar approach last summer with Les Gones looking for a £40m package, and it looks highly unlikely that they will give the green light for the move.

Both Manchester United and Liverpool are also keen on the Frenchman, who could cost in upwards of £52m following a 37-goal season for the fallen French giants.