Alexandre Lacazette could have more than just a contract offer from Arsenal to consider after reports revealed he is being targeted abroad.
Lacazette has entered the final few months of his contract at the Emirates Stadium. It remains unclear whether he will sign a new deal or not. The club could have concerns about the situation after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s drop-off in form in between his contract extension in a similar scenario and recent exit.
In fact, reports have claimed that talks with Lacazette would have to wait until the summer, while Arsenal mull over their options. But his recent upturn in form has prompted speculation they could accelerate their plans.
The French striker is already able to speak to clubs outside England about a free transfer for next season and beyond. One that could show an interest, according to Calciomercato, is Juventus.
The Serie A side are still looking to strengthen up front after letting Cristiano Ronaldo return to Manchester United. They added Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina in January, which should be a big help.
But they could bring in more experience with Lacazette. He would fit within their low-cost transfer strategy if he walks away from Arsenal for nothing.
Juventus want Vlahovic to be backed up by a striker of pedigree and Lacazette fits the bill. Therefore, Arsenal may have to bring forward their plans to tie him down before the Old Lady can pounce.
The club captain seems committed to his current duties while Arsenal are chasing a return to the Champions League. But a big decision is looming in the summer, by which time he will have turned 31.
Lacazette has only scored three Premier League goals this season, so Arsenal themselves could still be looking for another main man if they keep him. They missed out on Vlahovic to Juventus, but will have other ideas.
But the former Lyon man has impressed club chiefs and they could reward him – unless Juventus can turn his head.
Any agreement with Arsenal will likely hinge on the length of the deal on offer. Lacazette may prefer a longer-term arrangement, whereas the club have been advised they should only extend his terms by one year.
Alan Smith recently said: “The question is what length contract do you give Lacazette and what he wants at his age.
“Arsenal don’t want to be stuck with someone that is overpaid and underperforming; they’ve been there before.
“It looks like he is a good character of the dressing room. But it all depends on who they have lined up to come in.
“In an ideal world you might give him a one-year contract to oversee the transformation of that attack. But yeah, there is a lot of work for [Mikel] Arteta in the summer.”
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