Atletico Madrid have held a constant line of communication with the agent of Alexandre Lacazette and could sign the striker if he leaves Arsenal next year, according to Le10 Sport.
The forward has just nine-months remaining on his contract at the Emirates Stadium and chances of an extension are unlikely. Lacazette is showing little interest in prolonging his stay in north London, with talks with Arsenal proving slow and unproductive.
Atletico have held an interest in Lacazette for some years and manager Diego Simeone is still keen on his services. The La Liga title-holders have also kept in regular contact with the 30-year-old’s representatives over that time to discuss his situation and possible moves.
Simeone would explore Lacazette’s capture if he were to now leave Arsenal as a free agent next summer. Atletico have already made plans to target a centre-forward and the 16-cap international would become a priority without any fee.
Reports by Calciomercato had already cited Atletico Madrid as a potential landing spot for Lacazette away from Arsenal. But La Liga rivals Sevilla also like the £182k-a-week attacker, and could spark a January bidding war with the Colchoneros.
Arsenal had preferred to sell Lacazette this summer to avoid the forward potentially going for fee. Per The Sun, Mikel Arteta’s outfit sought £15m, which proved too high for potential suitors, knowing he is in the last year of the five-year deal penned when signed for £46.5m.
The Gunners had also already decided they would not be awarding him a new contract. Leaving the north London outfit in a difficult position should any team open negotiations in January. Given overseas clubs can also negotiate pre-contracts with him from January.
Should Arsenal try and sell Lacazette to Atletico Madrid in January?
Arsenal will likely try and sell Lacazette in January if they are not giving the Atletico Madrid target new terms. Simeone could prove to be their saviour in that respect to ensure Sevilla do not edge the Colchoneros. Given the Argentine manager’s long-standing interest in him.
The Gunners will certainly hope clubs do strike a bidding war in January to avoid him going for free. Yet Arteta risks teams waiting until the summer by not utilising his side’s former record signing. Lacazette has only played 31 minutes in the Premier League this season.
Arteta has also left Lacazette on the bench in Arsenal’s last two top-flight games against Norwich City and Burnley. A role hardly befitting of their 2020/21 top-scorer with 13 goals and two assists in 31 appearances, starting 22. And of a player Arteta has praised before.
“He’s found himself in better form,” the Spaniard said in a press conference in February, via Football Daily. “Laca’s done that by working hard, simple as that. He committed to working harder, to stick to his abilities and qualities. And the moment that he transformed his confidence, he became a different player.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
