Reds target Lacazette could be available again
Alexandre Lacazette could be back on the transfer market, after Atletico Madrid's transfer ban scuppered his dream move to the Spanish capital.
The Lyon striker had been set to join up with Diego Simeone's side this summer, but their sanctions were upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Atletico were banned in July 2016 from registering players for two transfer windows after breaching Fifa rules over the signings of minors, meaning January is the earliest time they can play a new signing.
Under the terms of the ban, Atleti can sign players this summer, but they would not be able to be registered until January – meaning they would miss six months of their career.
This has thrown Lacazette's future into doubt, with Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas admitting Atletico's failed appeal to CAS has “changed everything”.
He told L'Equipe: “Real Madrid have their sanction reduced, but that wasn't the case for Atletico. It is both good and bad news because economically it was a very important transfer and the sanction changes everything.
“Lacazette did not want to celebrate the move too early because he knows that anything can happen in football but he made the decision on his future with his heart.
“This setback challenges the agreement but he could continue playing here for one more season.
“Technically, it is not possible to keep the agreement and remain with us on loan.
“However, a solution might be that he stays with us until the sanction is over.”
Reports from abroad have linked Liverpool with a move for the 26-year-old, with many Reds fans wanting to see the Frenchman at Anfield.
Virgil van Dijk, Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah remain some of the Reds' current transfer targets.
Source: Liverpool Echo
This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.