Report: Atletico in advanced talks with Lacazette; €40M bid submitted

Lyon hot shot Alexandre Lacazette has decided to join Atletico Madrid in the event he leaves the French club this summer, according to RMC Sport reporter Mohamed Bouhafsi.

Atletico is in "advanced discussions" with the 25-year-old, whom the Spanish outfit has apparently made a priority. Whether Lacazette's potential arrival affects the future of reported Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann is unclear.

A transfer ban extending to January 2018 could yet foil Atleti's attempts to sign Lacazette, scorer of 31 goals across all competitions this season. The capital side - punished alongside city rival Real Madrid for luring foreign players under 18 - is appealing FIFA's ruling in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

It seems, however, Atletico is working under the impression the CAS will overturn the judgement. A bid worth €40 million has been submitted to Lyon, according to Bouhafsi, who independently confirmed an initial report from L'Equipe outlining Atletico's serious interest in the player.

If Atletico remains handcuffed by the transfer ban, Liverpool and longtime admirer Arsenal could emerge as potential options for Lacazette. The Frenchman has already expressed a desire to play in the Premier League, but added in an interview last year, "I don't want to go to a club and sit on the bench."

Lyon rejected a €40-million offer from West Ham last summer, and reportedly turned down Arsenal on multiple occasions.

But club president Jean-Michel Aulas admitted in February he wouldn't veto Lacazette's push for a move abroad.

"As I did with Karim Benzema and Samuel Umtiti, if a player wants to leave and the offer is acceptable, we won't stand in the way," Aulas said.

Lacazette's contract expires in June 2019.