Alexandre Lacazette has revealed he turned down a move to Paris Saint-Germain to join Arsenal this summer.
Lacazette had been bound for Atletico Madrid at the start of the transfer window but when that move fell apart due to a Fifa-imposed transfer ban the striker cast his net wider.
PSG had been consistently linked with a move for Lacazette as they scoured for striking reinforcements – they would ultimately end up with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe having also considered a move for Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.
But Lacazette was reluctant to abandon his hometown club for a Ligue 1 rival and would subsequently join Arsenal in a deal worth up to £52.7million.
“We talked to PSG but I knew it was not where I wanted to go. In France, I would only play for Lyon,” Lacazette told RMC Sport.
“PSG could have helped me progress because they of the big players they have but I wanted to play in another league.”
Lacazette has hit the ground running in North London, scoring four goals in his first four games at the Emirates.
“In the Emirates, I have been efficient. Now I have to keep going and have the same stats away from home,” he added.
In Pictures | Arsenal vs Brighton | 01/10/2017
“I still have to work on some points, even if it’s going well. I can still develop my relationships with my midfielders and defenders.
“I also want to become stouter in front of goal because in England the referee does not whistle.”
