West Ham's audacious attempt to poach Lyon's striking sensation Alexandre Lacazette has been shot down, "?ESPN report.
The Hammers have been hugely impressed by Lacazette's performances this season and they tabled a club-record bid of £31m for his services.
The 24-year-old hitman would be a welcome addition to Slaven Bilic's squad, but Lyon's president Jean-Michel Aulas has revealed that their offer was rebuffed.
When asked if the club had received any offers for Lacazette, Aulas told French newspaper Le Progres "Yes. Many, the most important being that of West Ham for 40 million euros [£31m] which we've refused. I want to keep him but I'm not certain because it's he who will decide in the end.
"To have a sale, you need all three parties to be in agreement. We hope to keep him. Now if there are offers...
"Last season I expect Monaco wanted to keep [Anthony] Martial [who joined Manchester United]. What I don't want is that, by August 28, when we've qualified for the Champions League, we find ourselves in the same situation.
"If there's an offer he can't refuse, he'll come to see me."
Lacazette has grabbed 21 goals in 34 Ligue 1 appearances this year, but he has been left out of the France squad for the European Championships.
With Tottenham Hotspur also keenly interested in his services, this saga could drag out over the summer as the two clubs engage in a bidding war.
"?"?