Lyon president Jean Michel-Aulas doesn't believe Arsenal are pursuing Alexandre Lacazette

Lyon believe they have won the battle to hold onto Alexandre Lacazette for another season, despite interest from Arsenal. Lacazette, 25, remains heavily linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with West Ham United having already seen their efforts to sign the France international turned away.

Lyon have already allowed one of their prized assets to leave the club this summer in defender Samuel Umtiti, who has joined Barcelona in a deal worth €25m (£20.9m). Club president Jean Michel-Aulas, a notoriously stern negotiator having demanded top dollar fees for the club's best players over the last decade, is determined to hold onto Lacazette, but a reported release clause of £34.2m may take the matter out of his hands.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is prepared to activate that release clause this summer. Wenger has been in France in recent weeks during Euro 2016 as a television pundit and reportedly used that as an opportunity to meet with the player's representatives and inform them of hisclub's intentions.

Aulas insists, however, that Wenger has not approached him over the proposed move and now feels Lacazette has made the decision to remain at the Ligue 1 club.

"I saw Arsene during France's matches and he has not told me [about any interest]," Aulas told L'Equipe. "I do not think it is something and it seems Alex wants to spend this season with Lyon in the new stadium. He wants to know an adventure in the Champions League could be much better than last season. I think he will stay with us and we are very happy."

Wenger once again finds himself under pressure to bring in an established goalscorer this summer. Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy appeared to be their first choice, but the England international rejected a move to north London to sign a new deal with the Premier League champions in June.

Alvaro Morata has also been persistently linked with a move to the Emirates, but it would now appear Real Madrid want to hold onto the player, having activated a buyback clause to re-sign him from Juventus this summer.