Former Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette set for shock transfer to club building futuristic stadium 350m above ground
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE is reportedly set for a shock move to Saudi Pro League newcomers Neom.
The Saudi outfit were promoted to the country's top flight as champions of the First Division.
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Lacazette, 34, became a free agent this summer after Lyon were relegated to Ligue 2.
The former Champions League semi-finalists dropped down due to debts being racked up by owners Eagles Football Group.
The club is set to appeal the decision, but it will not affect the future of the former Arsenal striker.
L'Equipe have claimed that Lacazette will sign for Neom on a two-year deal.
The report has suggested that the Frenchman has already completed his medical ahead of the switch.
However, Lacazette will miss out on playing at the club's potential new futuristic stadium.
They currently play at the King Khalid Sports City Stadium in Tabuk but will be moving soon.
The new stadium will be built as part of the plans to construct the city of Neom.
The city will be 106 miles long and is currently being built in the Saudi desert.
There will be two stadiums built as part of the plans, with one boasting a capacity of 45,000 on a cliff edge.
Saudi Arabia release new pictures of 92,000-capacity 'germinating seed' King Salman Stadium ahead of 2034 World Cup
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The second will be built 350m above the ground and will not be accessible by car.
But for Lacazette, his move comes too soon for him to play in the futuristic grounds.
Their construction is expected to be completed in time for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
This means that Lacazette will be stuck playing in front of at most 12,000 people at home games for the next two seasons.
He will join former Premier League and West Brom star Ahmed Hegazy at the club.
The defender made 104 appearances for the Baggies before leaving for Saudi giants Al-Ittihad.
Lacazette leaves Lyon after two spells with the club in which he made 326 appearances and scored 184 goals.
During his time away from Lyon he starred for Arsenal in the Premier League for five years.
He scored 71 goals and assisted 35 more in 206 outings for the North London side.
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