Report: Lyon's Lacazette will cost Arsenal €55M

Arsenal's bid to strengthen its attacking core won't come cheap.

After AS Monaco reportedly rejected a bid worth €100 million (£88.5 million) for teenage prodigy Kylian Mbappe, the north London side's perceived backup plan won't come at a bargain price, either.

Lyon and Arsenal have engaged in talks over forward Alexandre Lacazette, with the French side placing a €55-million (£48.7-million) price tag on the 26-year-old, according to Jason Burt of The Telegraph.

The cost could rise another €12 million (£10.6 million) in add-ons.

Burt adds that Lyon may have come to the realisation that it's time to part ways with Lacazette after reportedly resisting offers during previous transfer windows.

The French international looked as though he was destined for a move to Atletico Madrid until the Court of Arbitration in Sport upheld the Spanish side's transfer ban.

Lacazette emerged as one of France's top forwards after scoring a combined 76 goals in the last three seasons, including 27 last term when he fell short of the scoring title behind Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani's 35 goals.

Reported interest in Lacazette doesn't necessarily spell the end to Arsenal's pursuit of Mbappe. However, a move this summer for the 18-year-old is unlikely as Monaco reportedly expects Mbappe to remain with the club for at least one more season.