Arsenal are set to offload striker Alexandre Lacazette in the summer. The France international will enter the final season of his contract. As a result, the Gunners are keen to sell him in the upcoming transfer window.
The 29-year old was a late substitute on Thursday night as Arsenal won 3-2 against Benfica in the round of 32 of the Europa League. And also came off the bench against Manchester City in the Premier League at the weekend.
Lacazette was not short of suitors last summer. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone wanted him last summer. But had to settle with Moussa Dembele, who they signed from Lyon in January.
The club now interested in taking Lacazette is Ligue 1’s AS Monaco. The Principality club wants to bring Lacazette back to France and Arsenal will allow him to leave if the right fee is agreed.
Monaco interested in Lacazette
According to the Daily Mirror, French giants Monaco are closely monitoring Alexandre Lacazette’s developments at the Emirates. They are lining up a summer swoop for the striker as they look to bolster their forward ranks.
Lacazette has no shortage of experience playing in Ligue 1. He spends 14 years on the books of Lyon before making his move to London in 2017. He scored 94 league goals across seven seasons for Lyon, even having 30 goal contributions in 30 games in his last season in France.
It could be a pivotal few months for Lacazette. Arsenal may well cash in on the player as he is showing no signs of signing a new deal rather than lose him for free the following summer.
The fee quoted for Lacazette is around £31.5 million. And Monaco will be more than willing to pay that sum to bring him back to France.
Why Arsenal should sell Alexandre Lacazette
Lacazette has endured a very frustrating campaign so far. He has started only 17 out of a possible 25 league matches so far this season. But has scored nine goals and provided two assists in those limited minutes.
The French striker joined the Gunners from Lyon for £52 million. He has scored 46 goals and provided 18 assists in the Premier League across four seasons, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield in the process. But this season, he has cut a very frustrating figure. His lack of game time coincided with Arsenal’s struggle in front of goal has made him look for a move in the summer.
He has to share striker duties with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But manager Mikel Arteta has recently preferred his captain Aubameyang upfront with Nicolas Pepe, Willian, or Bukayo Saka as two wingers. As a result, Lacazette has fallen behind the pecking order. Arteta has previously discussed the possibility of handling Lacazette a new deal. But he is beginning to become something of a rotation player at the club, instead of being a guaranteed starter.
From Arsenal’s perspective, it probably makes sense to sell Lacazette in the summer. He will turn 30 this year and his value is also decreasing. Aubameyang is the main striker at the club. All Arsenal need is a young, potent striker to play back-up to Aubameyang.
