Liverpool preparing bid for 20-goal-forward ‘better than Bale’

Liverpool are preparing a bid for Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette, according to the Daily Mirror.

The French forward has been outstanding for Lyon this season, and already has 20 goals to his name in Ligue 1 – more than any other player in the division.

And reports in France claim a bid for the forward – who can play down the centre or on either flank – is imminent.

Despite both scoring at Aston Villa on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers would be happy to let Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert leave the club this month if  a deal for Lacazette came off.

The Reds are set to face stiff competition for his signature however, especially after Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas insisted the 23-year-old was a better player than Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

“You can’t put a figure on it,” he said to Le Parisien last week. “What’s the name of the Welshman at Real Madrid? I think Alexandre is a lot better. But Alexandre doesn’t have a price, so it’s pointless thinking of one.

“He is an intelligent boy, he knows the team and the coach allow him to express himself and to become one of the best European strikers.

“The OL will grow faster than all its major European competitors. Would Alexandre be wise to leave before Euro 2016? I do not think so.

“The question is whether we can reach the Champions League, we need to do that to keep our best players.”