Alexandre Lacazette has hinted that he will stay put at Lyon beyond the current transfer window after netting an excellent hat-trick in the Ligue 1 side's 3-0 win over Nancy.
The French striker has been linked with a move to Arsenal, with one bid reportedly rejected, but the 25-year-old looks to have implied that he has decided to remain with his current employers, at least for the time being.
"I am happy here," he said following the game. "I would like to reach 100 goals in Ligue 1.
Arsenal could have done with this man today - Watch Lacazette score a hat-trick for Lyon https://t.co/8iEmGnOcre pic.twitter.com/E9dMd5vlgG
"We are very happy because the first match against a promoted team is always perilous. This is a very good week."?
"Congratulations to [coach] Bruno [Genesio], for his talk has borne fruit. We are very happy and will enjoy tonight but we must keep our feet on the ground this season."
The news will come as a blow to Arsenal fans hoping to see Lacazette sign for the Gunners, especially with acquiring a top-class striker at the forefront of Wenger's mind.
It's that man @LacazetteAlex. The Frenchman nets a hat-trick for @OL in their first #Ligue1 game of the season. ? https://t.co/QIjQrnqWBh
Lacazette has established himself as one of the most exciting talents in European football,
"?exceeding twenty goals in each of his last three seasons. He was part of France's Euro 2016 squad, but did not feature as heavily as some may have expected.
He would be the ideal candidate for Arsenal, fitting the bill as a quick, agile centre-forward who scores plenty of goals - a player who would certainly be viewed as the 'Upgrade on Olivier Giroud' that has been called for so repeatedly by disgruntled Arsenal fans.
Alexandre Lacazette vs. Nancy today:
33' ??
44' ??
90'+2 ??
Taking the match ball home. pic.twitter.com/0HNq7xS9uZ