Lyon president Jean-Michel Aula has revealed his club turned down a £42.7-million bid for Alexandre Lacazette from West Ham United. 

25-year-old Lacazette has impressed consistently in Ligue 1 over recent seasons and has long been a target for Premier League side Arsenal, despite the Hammers having offered more in the pursuit if his signature.

‘We’ve refused an offer of 50 million euros from West Ham for Alexandre Lacazette,’ Aulas told French broadcaster SFR Sport. ‘We’ve even turned down more for him,’ he added.

West Ham have been eager to add to their attacking potency this transfer window and appear to have money to spend. Furthermore, the side are presently severely handicapped by injuries to first choice forwards Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew, the latter of whom arrived at the club from Swansea with a thigh problem.

Having failed to land Lacazette, the Hammers have now turned their attention to the signing of Simone Zaza on a season-long loan from Juventus.

Lacazette has earned 10 caps for the French national side and has already hit six goals in four appearances for Lyon this term.