Lacazette: This player told me to come to Arsenal

Alexandre Lacazette may have become Arsenal’s most expensive signing but Gunners could have to thank one of their midfielders for making the deal happen.

The Frenchman joined for a reported £52 million from Lyon as Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen his side ahead of next season.

The Arsenal boss has been trying to lure the clinical striker to the Emirates for a number of seasons but may have got the deal over the line this summer thanks to one of his destructive midfielders.

Francis Coquelin played with Lacazette in the European U19 tournament in 2010 and Arsenal’s latest signing revealed the defensive midfielder had made contact with him before his move.

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He said: “Francis and I kept in touch after that. We’ve had a lot of contact over the last few years and even more over the last few weeks, of course, since it became increasingly likely that I would come to Arsenal.

“He has said only good things about Arsenal, which is not surprising because he wanted me to join the club. Even without that I still really wanted to come here.

“He stressed that it was a great club located in a fantastic city. He said I would not regret my decision to move here because of the people I’d be working with and, of course, the fans.”