Alexandre Lacazette still open to joining Atletico Madrid this summer

Alexandre Lacazette has revealed he would still be open to joining Atletico Madrid this summer before being loaned back to Lyon for the first six months of the season.

Atletico were expected to sign Lacazette as Antoine Griezmann’s replacement this summer before their FIFA-imposed transfer ban was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] last week.

Diego Simeone’s side can still sign players this summer but they won’t be able to register them to play until January and there have been suggestions the Spanish giants would still look to secure Lacazette’s services by loaning him back to Lyon until the new year.

The France international, who has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League and Borussia Dortmund since it emerged Atletico would have difficulties convincing players to join, has revealed he would be open to that arrangement but Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has already ruled it out of the equation.

“It is possible, it is a scenario that should not be excluded,” Lacazette told Eurosport, via Get French Football. “A loan to Lyon until the winter window? I have not looked at that much because the president is saying that is not possible.

“We will have to prepare ourselves for all eventualities, but that is not the way I want it to go. I will wait until the end of the international stint with France before taking my decision.”

Lacazette has previously hinted he could remain at Lyon for another season despite expressing his desire to take the next step in his career and interest is expected to be high in his services this summer after enjoying his best ever season in front of goal. The 26-year-old scored 37 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions for Lyon in the 2016/17 campaign.

For more stats on Alexandre Lacazette, click here to visit his WhoScored player page