Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has raved about striker Alexandre Lacazette amid speculation that he could leave, as quoted on Football.London.
Lacazette is out of contract at Arsenal next summer, and no new deal is in place.
The France international striker could leave the Gunners on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Or, Arsenal could sell him in the January transfer window.
90min reported this week that West Ham United and Crystal Palace are interested in signing Lacazette.
La Razon claimed this week that Arsenal plan to sign Youssef En-Nesyri from Sevilla using Lacazette in the deal.
We covered the report here on HITC Sport.
Arteta told Football.London when asked if Arsenal will have to sell Lacazette if he does not sign a new deal: “We discuss that internally, we discuss that with him. It’s a long season ahead of us anything can happen everything is open.
“He just needs to focus on performing and contributing to the team like he always does. He’s a phenomenal character, he’s somebody that’s always pushing and he has a real interest to help the team. That’s not going to change. After we will see what happens.”
Important player for Arsenal
From a business perspective, it would make sense for Arsenal to sell Lacazette in the January transfer window if he does not sign a new deal.
However, based purely on footballing aspects, the Gunners need to keep hold of the striker.
The striker showed last season that he can step up when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggles.
The Arsenal no.9 scored 13 goals in the Premier League last season.
So far this campaign, Lacazette has scored two goals and given one assist in two Carabao Cup ties.
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