Arsenal are once again being linked with several strikers, as the transfer rumours involving Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette and Inter Milan‘s Mauro Icardi have kicked up a notch.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas previously told L’Equipe (h/t Dejan Kalinic of Goal) he doesn’t believe the former is angling for a move to the Gunners and he expects him to remain at the club, but per local newspaper Le Progres (h/t Daily Express‘ James Cambridge), Arsenal are preparing a new £42 million offer.

Per the report, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger already tabled a £33 million offer that was rejected, but he’s now ready to return with an improved bid if negotiations for Napoli star Gonzalo Higuain lead to nothing.

Lacazette has been linked with a move away from Lyon with some frequency during the last 18 months, and after back-to-back prolific campaigns in Ligue 1, his stock is as high as ever. Per WhoScored.com, he found the net in the domestic league 21 times this year after scoring 27 goals in 2014-15.

Here’s a look at some of his highlights:

The 25-year-old wasn’t selected for France’s Euro 2016 squad, which came as a huge surprise, given his strong form. Blessed with raw pace and superb instincts, he has the look of a star striker who should more than hold up in the Premier League.

While he has taken advantage of some lackluster defending in Ligue 1, his impressive conversion rate is a sign he’ll make the most of his chances no matter where he plays, per WhoScored.com:

The reported offer of £42 million is steep, but it’s par for the course for a relatively young, productive striker. Whether Lyon would sell at this price is another matter, however―the club only just moved into a brand-new stadium, and the 2016-17 campaign is hugely important for Les Gones. Unless Lacazette asks for a move, they’ll likely turn down just about any offer.

Elsewhere, Icardi‘s wife and agent Wanda Nara has shed some light on the ongoing transfer saga involving the striker, claiming Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid have all expressed interest in the Argentina international.

Speaking to Corriere della Sera (h/t London Evening Standard‘s James Benge), she maintains Icardi wants to stay with the Nerazzurri, but certain promises have to be upheld:

We want to stay in Milan. People say I am a mercenary, but I am not. [Inter] have to say the truth. They can’t say Icardi is not for sale and then talk to other clubs.

I’ve asked for a renewal because the club had promised me a renewal. Last year we accepted their conditions, which mean a lower salary, the sale of the 50% of Mauro’s economic rights and there is no release clause on his contract. They have to keep their promises.

There are many offers, but I do not negotiate with other clubs. I only talk about Mauro’s contract, that’s my role, not doing negotiations. Atletico Madrid, Tottenham and Arsenal have made contact. Napoli and Roma are also interested now.

Nara recently told Calciomercato.com (h/t Benge and Vaishali Bhardwaj of the London Evening Standard) Inter are actively trying to sell Icardi, which set off a whole bunch of rumours. The club denied the allegations, saying Icardi won’t be sold, and that in turn led some to believe it was the agent herself trying to broker a transfer, something she has now denied.

As reported by Football Italia, Inter manager Roberto Mancini said Icardi is “working hard” during pre-season training and “committed,” suggesting the club doesn’t believe they’ll lose their star striker in the near future.

The 23-year-old has been Inter’s top attacking option for the last two years, but during those two campaigns, the club has failed to live up to the lofty ambitions. Icardi‘s strong performances have largely gone unnoticed outside of Italy as a result, and that has played a big part in the ongoing speculation.

As you can see in these highlights, he has a great eye for goal:

Icardi is an opportunistic striker who works well both inside the box and in space. If his relationship with Inter has indeed turned sour, he should be available for a fee far below what Napoli and Lyon will demand for Higuain and Lacazette, respectively.

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