Juventus have rejected an offer to sign either Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as they seek a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, per Sky Italia.
Ronaldo has informed the Bianconeri that he wants to leave the Turin outfit before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline. Old Lady executives are now working to secure Massimiliano Allegri a replacement for the Portuguese, who scored 36 goals in all competitions last term.
Juventus would consider a return for their academy product Moise Kean, now at Everton. Vice-President Pavel Nedved could also explore deals for Sassuolo pair Gianluca Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori. With Gabriel Jesus and Mauro Icardi viewed as unrealistic targets.
Arsenal strikers Lacazette and Aubameyang have also been offered to Juventus as potential replacements for Ronaldo. However, the Serie A giants have turned away both forwards, as the France and Gabon strikers do not suit their financial or technical criteria for targets.
The Bianconeri have additionally ruled out signing Barcelona star Antoine Griezmann – one of several also offered – for the same reasons. Instead, Juventus want a younger striker to form a part of their rebuild under Allegri.
Recent reports by TuttoMercatoWEB had claimed Arsenal would be open to selling captain Aubameyang to Juventus to replace Ronaldo. The Gunners would want €20m (£17m) for the 32-year-old, who scored a hat-trick against West Brom in the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal, meanwhile, value Lacazette at £15m, per The Sun. While The Athletic claim Mikel Arteta’s side offered the 30-year-old to Inter Milan during discussions for Lautaro Martinez.
Should Arsenal sell Lacazette and Aubameyang after Juventus snub?
Arsenal would have little time to find a replacement for Lacazette or Aubameyang if either were sold, despite Juventus’ snub. And Arteta would need Technical Director Edu to sign a replacement, should a side purchase one of the Gunners’ forwards.
Lacazette was Arsenal’s top-scorer across all competitions (17) and in the Premier League (13) last season. Aubameyang is also their captain, while together they form Arteta’s only experienced centre-forward options.
It could be a mistake to rely on youngsters Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun to carry the burden. But it may now prove that both Aubameyang and 2022 free-agent Lacazette stay at Arsenal after Juventus turned them away.
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