Arsenal are prepared to shatter their transfer record to sign Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette - and the Gunners believe they have their man.

The deal could go through as early as next week with Arsene Wenger confident a bid of £44million will be enough to prise the hitman away from Ligue 1.

His price tag would make him the most expensive signing in Arsenal history, eclipsing the other big names that have made their way to north London over the years.

But who will he go above to the top of the pile?

Here are Arsenal's five most expensive players to date...

Lacazette is closing in on a move to Arsenal (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

1. Mesut Ozil - £42.5million

Ozil is Arsenal's record signing (
Image:
Getty Images)

Arsenal shattered their transfer record to bring Ozil to the club in September 2013 from Real Madrid.

It made him the most expensive German player of all time.

He said of the transfer: "At the weekend, I was certain I would stay at Real Madrid but afterwards I realised I did not have the faith from the coach or the bosses.

"I am a player who needs this faith and that is what I have felt from Arsenal, which is why I have joined."

2. Shkodran Mustafi - £35million

Mustafi cost the Gunners £35million (
Image:
Getty Images)

Arsenal forked out £35million to bring German defender Mustafi to the club in August last year from Valencia.

He enjoyed an impressive campaign, kicking off his career by beating Barcary Sagna's record of 17 games unbeaten from the start of his time at the Emirates.

Mustafi finished the season with two goals from 37 appearances in all competitions.

3. Granit Xhaka - £33.8million

Xhaka arrived at the Emirates last summer (
Image:
Arsenal FC)

Midfielder Xhaka was Arsenal's first signing last summer and arrived for big money from Borussia Monchengladbach after an impressive term in the Bundesliga.

He scored four goals in 46 games in all competitions in his debut season with the Gunners, but picked up two red cards and was criticised from some quarters for his indiscipline.

Xhaka netted in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Manchester United, helping to end the Red Devils' 25-match unbeaten run.

4. Alexis Sanchez - £31.7million

Sanchez hit 30 goals last season (
Image:
Getty Images)

Undoubtedly Arsenal's best player over the last couple of years - Sanchez is only the club's fourth most expensive.

He arrived in July 2014 for £31.7million from Barcelona, and said: "I'm so happy to be joining Arsenal, a club which has a great manager, a fantastic squad of players, huge support around the world and a great stadium in London."

Sanchez enjoyed his most fruitful campaign in the capital last term, scoring 30 goals in all competitions but couldn't help the Gunners retain their record of making the top four every season.

5. Lucas Perez - £17.1million

Perez struggled in his first term at Arsenal (
Image:
Arsenal FC/Getty)

Perez comes in as Arsenal's fifth most expensive signing, but is worth £14million less than Sanchez.

He arrived for £17.1million from Deportivo La Coruna after scoring 17 goals in 36 games in La Liga during 2015-17.

But he failed to hold down a starting spot last term, playing just 11 Premier League games, and managed just a solitary goal in the top flight.

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