West Ham United and Crystal Palace are among the growing list of clubs interested in signing Alexandre Lacazette with the striker’s Arsenal future in doubt, according to 90min.
Lacazette only has nine-months remaining on his contract and neither the player nor club are rushing to agree an extension. The Emirates Stadium hierarchy have spoken with the Frenchman’s representatives, but have so far not made any offers to renew.
Arsenal could look to sell the forward in the January sales instead, as Lacazette would still command a modest fee. However, a summer split is currently more likely, as the 30-year-old can secure better terms by leaving north London unattached.
Lacazette would not be short of suitors if he leaves Arsenal at the end of his contract next June. He has interest from England, Spain, Germany and Italy, and can start to negotiate pre-contracts with foreign clubs from January.
West Ham and Crystal Palace are emerging as possible landing spots as Lacazette considers a future away from Arsenal. The £182k-a-week centre-forward is open to staying in London, but would also have alternatives offers elsewhere in the Premier League.
Lyon are also considering taking Lacazette back to Ligue 1, what would be five-years after he left the French outfit. The Gunners paid Les Gones a former club-record £46.5m in 2017, when he signed his current contract. The 16-cap striker joined the Groupama Stadium side aged 12 and went on to score 129 times over 275 appearances for the first-team.
West Ham and Palace join growing race for Arsenal star Lacazette
West Ham and Crystal Palace could face a real fight to tempt Lacazette to switch north London for east or south if he leaves Arsenal next year. The pull of an emotional return to Les Gones may prove too strong for the forward born-and-raised in Lyon.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is also a huge and long-term admirer of the 2020 FA Cup winner. That’s according to Le10 Sport, who note the Colchoneros are considering a move as they target centre-forward reinforcements. The La Liga title-holders have also been in constant contact with Lacazette’s agent over recent years to monitor his situation.
Lacazette may favour a move to Madrid or return to Lyon over West Ham or Crystal Palace if he leaves Arsenal. But that ‘if’ is turning into a ‘when’ more and more each day, with Mikel Arteta scarcely using the forward. He has only played 31-minutes in the Premier League this term. But scored his second in two EFL Cup games against Wimbledon on Wednesday.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
