Thursday, March 28, 2024

Lacazette hints at summer move

Olympique Lyonnais forward Alexandre Lacazette admits his long-term future is up in the air, and hinted he could leave the Stade de Gerland in the summer.

Olympique Lyonnais forward Alexandre Lacazette admits his long-term future is up in the air, and hinted he could leave the Stade de Gerland in the summer.

Lacazette, 23, is contracted to Lyonnais until the summer of 2018, but the player’s tallies of 23 goals and five assists in 25 Ligue 1 appearances this season have caught the eye of several potential suitors abroad, including English Premier League sides Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Nevertheless, the 23-year-old is still a Lyonnais player…for now. 

“For now, I’m Lyonnais and under contract but you never know what will happen in the future and this summer,” Lacazette told L’Equipe.

“This is a discussion that will take place between the president [Jean-Michel Aulas] and myself and we will see then, if I continue or not.

“If the president wants me to go for the good of the club or for other reasons, I will be forced to leave. But I am here at the club and we will see then.”

The France international added: “There are no problems. Everyone knows that in football, every summer, everyone can leave.

“It is not today that we will be surprised if a player leaves the club.

“On your side, you have the feeling that you leave the door open…this is not an open door, it’s just reality. Even if all players want to stay a lifetime in a club, at some point, if they push you out, you are forced to get out.”

Lyonnais will travel to third-placed Olympique de Marseille on Sunday.

Douglas Costa talks up Chelsea move

Shakhtar Donetsk star midfielder Douglas Costa admits he would welcome the opportunity to join Chelsea when the transfer window re-opens in the summer.

The Brazil international, whose current deal with the five-time reigning Ukrainian Premier League champions is set to expire on 30 June 2018, is ready to quit Shakhtar to seek pastures new.

A move to Stamford Bridge would reunite the 24-year-old midfielder with compatriot and former team-mate Willian, a “friend for life.”

“I’d be really interested in moving to Chelsea because I’d be able to achieve everything I want having someone like Jose Mourinho by my side,” Douglas Costa told FourFourTwo.

“There comes a time when you become sick and tired of playing in the same league. I’m 24 and I think that it’s worth trying to convince them to let me go away.

“It’s time to try a new philosophy and I’m sure Mourinho’s is the best around. He’s always fighting for trophies.

“I’ve also got Willian in London – he’s a friend for life. I spent a few days at Fernandinho’s house after Shakhtar played Manchester United in the Champions League [in December 2013] and I really enjoyed it.

“[If I moved to England] I’d have the chance to play in the Premier League, the best league in the world.

“You never know which team will win and that really impresses me – that’s a factor that always keeps athletes motivated.”

Douglas Costa has scored three goals in 22 appearances in all competitions for the Ukrainian champions this term.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shawn Etemadi


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