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Alexandre Lacazette to Liverpool: Lyon forward considering transfer request to force summer move as Reds eye £28m star

Lacazette is yet to sign a new contract with Lyon which has prompted speculation that he will move this summer

Jack de Menezes

Wednesday 08 July 2015 16:19 BST

Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette (Getty Images)

Liverpool could yet be given a boost in their hunt to sign Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette after reports in France confirmed the talented 24-year-old is yet to agree a new contract with the Ligue 1 club.

Lacazette emerged as one of the brightest French talents coming through the ranks at the Stade de Gerland a few years ago, and enjoyed his best season to date courtesy of his 27 league goals in just 33 outings to help Lyon finish second behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

However, despite Lacazette’s contract running until June 2018, French newspaper L’Equipe reports that he could hand in a stunning transfer request to rock the club and try to force through a move to another European club.

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

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1/7Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Felipe Anderson

The Lazio midfielder has enjoyed his breakthrough season in Italy this year, but that has alerted a number of clubs across Europe including Liverpool. The 22-year-old Brazilian is contracted to the Serie A club until 2020 and will therefore cost a significant amount if he were to move this summer, but it’s believed he has the potential to become one of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in the world if he continues his steep development curve.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Theo Walcott

Arsenal’s pace merchant is finding it hard to break back into the first team after recovering from the ruptured cruciate ligament that sidelined him for over a year. With doubts over his fitness, his suitability to the current Arsenal side and whether he’s a better option compared to his team-mates, rumours have linked him with a dramatic Arsenal exit. Liverpool would be one of the teams in for the England winger, who can also play in attack, and given that his speed can terrify any defence he would be a suitable option to replace Sterling.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Marco Reus

Any move for Reus appears to be hinged on firing Brendan Rodgers and hiring Jürgen Klopp, and given the noises coming out of Anfield, it’s unlikely to happen this summer. But if another transfer window goes belly-up, don’t be surprised to see Klopp at the club soon after with Reus in tow. The Germany international is a wonderfully gifted player who combines pace and skill to dazzle defences. He has struggled with a persistent ankle injury in recent months, but he would add a proven quality to the Liverpool ranks.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Divock Origi

Rodgers already knows one signing he will see arrive at Anfield in the summer as Belgium striker Divock Origi will complete the permanent move he agreed last year, having spent the season on loan with Lille. Rodgers could look to revert to the tactics he deployed last season when he had Luis Suarez to pair up with Daniel Sturridge, and although Origi is nowhere near the level Suarez was at present, the Northern Irishman will hope he has unearthed a gem when he arrives in the Premier League.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Alexandre Lacazette

The French forward is being courted by the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, but Liverpool could look to show a sign of intent by launching a bid for him before their rivals. Lacazette is equally adept at playing as a striker or out wide, and it would depend on how Rodgers would choose to deploy him to where he would feature. The France international has helped Lyon secure second in Ligue 1 and will finish the season as top goalscorers barring any heroics from Andre-Pierre Gignac, who trails by six goals.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Jeremy Menez

Menez’s brother and agent has fuelled talk of a move away from AC Milan by admitting he is likely to leave this summer, and even addressed rumours of a move to Liverpool as well as Monaco. However, at this point in time they are just rumours, and despite being able to play out wide he is more suited to an attacking role through the middle.

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Who could Liverpool sign to replace Raheem Sterling?

Ezequiel Lavezzi

The Argentine has fallen off the radar in recent months, but his future at Paris Saint-Germain remains far from certain and a move to the Premier League has always appeared on the cards. At home out wide on the wing, Lavezzi can also do a job up front, and would bring a physicality to the attack that is currently missing in Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Ibe.

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Liverpool aren’t the only side interested in Lacazette though, with Champion League heavyweights Bayern Munich also monitoring his future along with PSG, who hope that the allure of remaining in France will appeal to Lacazette.

Liverpool are likely to strengthen further following last season’s struggles in attack, with Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini all facing the exit door should the Reds find suitable destinations for the goal-shy trio. With Daniel Sturridge missing a large proportion of last season through injury, manager Brendan Rodgers has moved swiftly to address the struggles in front of goal, and has brought in Danny Ings from Burnley and Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim – the latter’s move set to cost up to £29m.

With Firmino likely to play behind the lead striker, Rodgers could look to launch a move for Lacazette this summer which will also give him options on the left of his attack. However, Lacazette will not come cheap, and it’s believed that Lyon will demand in excess of £28m for the France international.

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