Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after scoring. (Getty Images)
According to Spanish outlet AS (h/t The Sun), Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette, with the English outfit’s manager Mikel Arteta also willing to let go of him to transform the squad.
Lacazette, 28, joined Arsenal in the summer of 2017 and still has two more years left in his contract with the club. The Frenchman was a key member of the Lyon squad before his move to North London as he scored more than 15 goals in each of his last four league campaigns with the French outfit.
The £182,000-a-week star also made a good start to life in England, scoring 14 league goals in his debut campaign with the Gunners and netted 13 in the following season. However, this term, he has fallen out of favour under Arteta after failing to impress the manager. He has found the back of the net just 7 times and could be sold in the summer, as per the report.
Meanwhile, the North London side have just two established centre-forwards in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Lacazette. Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah are the other two strikers who have done well but they are too young to be depended upon.
There is already a concern with the Gabonese international’s future with the club as he could be on the move in the summer with Barcelona and Real Madrid eyeing him. And at this point, allowing the former Lyon man leave could spell trouble for the Gunners.
It would make things difficult for Arteta’s side to find a replacement. Lacazette already has a proven record for both Lyon and Arsenal. In 389 career appearances for both sides, he has racked up 174 goals and 64 assists and could be a crucial player if Aubameyang leaves.
The Frenchman has been consistent in the past few years, except for this season. He has the ability to lead the attack and the manager should take a chance with him next campaign. The Gunners would also find it difficult to bring in replacements if both the strikers leave.
The North Londoners would have to search for a striker who can score a minimum of 15 goals per season and that is an impossible task, especially with the league suspended and the aftermath of it in terms of financial issues.
At 28, Lacazette still has a few more years to compete at the highest level and given his previous record, they should keep hold of him as he could get them much-needed goals if he is handed the right opportunities.
