Arsenal were rumoured to have opened talks with the representatives of Alexandre Lacazette, and reports emanating from the Express and Daily Star now claim that Liverpool have now joined the race for the signature of the French international.

With Christian Benteke looking all but set to join Crystal Palace, Jurgen Klopp is on the lookout for his replacement despite only recently bringing down winger Sadio Mane to Anfield. Klopp has identified Lacazette as a striker target; he is also known to be his long-term admirer.

At Emirates Stadium, his first-team chances will likely be limited as Olivier Giroud, who took his place in the France squad for European Championship, still reigns supreme in the red half of London. However, Giroud turns 30 in September, and the 25-year-old Lacazette may ponder taking Giroud’s place at Arsenal, as well as in the national team in the long-term. Besides, Arsenal’s perpetual presence in the Champions League and the chance to work under his compatriot Arsene Wenger should entice him.

However, any passionate footballer would prefer first team action to being a second-string player at a bigger club. With Benteke jumping ships, and Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge being unreliable, he may as well become the Reds’ first-choice striker straight away. The ball is on Lacazette’s court now.

Should Arsenal miraculously miss out on Lacazette, they will pursue Alvaro Morata, Romelu Lukaku, or Gonzalo Higuain, but manager Arsene Wenger will hope to get the French striker as he commands a transfer fee any Premier League can afford, as opposed to the other three, who will cost upwards of £50m.