Olympique Lyonnais forward Alexandre Lacazette has snubbed reported interest from the English Premier League in favour of penning a new four-year deal at the Stade de Gerland.
The France international, who has been linked with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United this summer, is happy to have finally ended the speculation regarding his future, and rightly so.
“People can stop talking,” Lacazette said. “Now I hope we will only talk because I am scoring goals and winning games with Lyon.
“I let it be known my wish to stay at the club and to refuse any outside offer.
“The important thing for me was not whether I would extend my contract or not, but to stay at the club. I knew that I was going to stay here.”
Lacazette, priced at 4/1 to be the top goalscorer in Ligue 1 in 2015/16, tallied 27 goals and six assists in 33 Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon last season.
Rondon close to Albion switch
West Bromwich Albion are close to completing the club-record signing of striker Salomon Rondon from Russian Premier League giants Zenit St Petersburg in a deal reportedly worth £15 million, according to Sky Sports.
Rondon, a Venezuela international, has reportedly already passed a medical and agreed personal terms with the Baggies, and is expected to put pen to paper next week.
The arrival of Rondon would likely put Brown Ideye, who joined Albion from Dynamo Kyiv in a £10 million deal last summer, on the transfer market, and understandably so.
The Venezuelan striker will face competition from the likes of Rickie Lambert, Saido Berahino and Victor Anichebe for a place in Tony Pulis’ first XI.
Advocaat concerned after Leicester thrashing
Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat has revealed the Black Cats’ lopsided defeat at Leicester has left him fearing the worst regarding his side.
A brace from Riyad Mahrez and goals from Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton saw the hosts hit four goals past Costel Pantilimon on the opening day of the 2015/16 Premier League season, much to the chagrin of Advocaat.
“Not only the result scares me a little bit, but also the way we played,” Advocaat said. “Especially in the first half, we know what we have to do and we have to change some things. The first cross is a goal, the second cross is 2-0 and by the third the left fullback is sleeping.
“They were sharper and they were better. We gave so much space away and we know that they will come, they had space up front.”
Following their opening day defeat, Sunderland are priced at 9/2 to finish bottom of the table.
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