Juventus are reportedly eyeing a move for Alexandre Lacazette in the summer as a backup option for Dusan Vlahovic, who Arsenal missed out on in the January transfer window.
According to CalcioMercato, the Bianconeri are eager to sign an older striker who could serve as second-choice to the Serbian international, who Juventus paid €75m (£62m) at the start of the year as per the Guardian, with Lacazette an option for the Turin club.
The 30-year-old attacker is set to leave Arsenal as a free agent as things stand, with the Gunners yet to offer Lacazette a new contract despite an impressive run of form since taking the captain’s armband from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in December.
Whilst goals have been hard to come by for Lacazette, the forward’s link-up play has been second-to-none for the Gunners, with the Frenchman bagging seven assists in his last nine Premier League fixtures as Arsenal sit fourth in the standings.
Indeed, Lacazette’s contract situation makes him a perfect target for Juventus, and with free agency meaning the forward is free to choose where he joins, Arsenal have no say in allowing the striker to join a club who did Edu Gaspar dirty in January.
The Gunners looked like favourites to sign Vlahovic from ACF Fiorentina in the winter window, however, Juventus were able to play Arsenal in a way that allowed them to swoop in for the striker and sign him for themselves in one of the biggest January deals of all time.
Lacazette could be tempted to stay at Arsenal than make Juventus move
Lacazette’s importance to the Arsenal squad has grown significantly in recent weeks, and with Juventus only interested in signing the striker as a backup option, the French attacker could easily be more open to staying in north London than taking his talents to Italy.
After all, Lacazette will likely retain the captaincy if he remains with Arsenal, and although a new striker is still likely to be signed in the summer, the forward will no doubt play a key role for Mikel Arteta’s side next season should he decide to stay rather than head to Juventus.
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