Football
Mark Rodden 8y

Alexandre Lacazette to be at Lyon for 'several years' - Jean-Michel Aulas

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has sought to end rumours that star striker Alexandre Lacazette will join Newcastle this month by predicting that the France international will stay at his club for a long time.

L'Equipe reported on Wednesday that Newcastle had made an initial offer of over €25 million for Ligue 1's Player of the Year from last season.

Lacazette, 24, was the league's top scorer last term with 27 goals and he signed an improved deal with Lyon in the summer.

But L'Equipe said Lyon were considering cashing in on the player after an injury-hit first half of the season during which he managed eight goals in all competitions.

Speaking ahead of the inauguration of Lyon's new Stade des Lumieres, however, Aulas said that he expected Lacazette to return from a thigh problem to spearhead the attack of last season's Ligue 1 runners-up.

"I'm convinced that he will now come back completely after his injury to his highest level," Aulas told a news conference on Thursday.

"He will do it with the team of his heart -- Lyon. I even have a feeling that he will be the first goal scorer in this stadium and that would be great for him.

"I think that he will still be here with us for several years because we need him. Lyon cannot be at the highest level without players of his magnitude and personality."

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