West Ham United are preparing a move for Alexandre Lacazette and will offer the Premier League veteran better terms than on offer at London rivals Arsenal, as reported by TEAMtalk.
There’s an easy comparison to be made here between Lacazette’s future and the deal that saw Willian make the short trip from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates Stadium nearly two years ago.
Willian wanted a three-year deal at Chelsea. The Blues were only willing to offer a two-year extension to a player in his 30s, however. The Brazil international jumped at the chance to sign a longer-term contract at Arsenal instead.
Of course, West Ham will be hoping that Lacazette can make a far greater impact than Willian did. That’s if he arrives at the London Stadium on a free transfer this summer of course.
Willian, after all, had his £220,000-a-week contract terminated following just 16 Premier League starts and one goal in Arsenal colours.
Is Lacazette leaving Arsenal for West Ham?
Lacazette, reportedly Arsenal’s second-highest earner on £180,000-a-week, has scored just four times himself this term.
But while the 30-year-old Frenchman has fallen short of his usual standards in the final third, he makes up for his profligacy with a prodigious work-rate and excellent link-play.
In fact, he’s been so influential during Arsenal’s sudden surge up the Premier League table that Mikel Arteta appears to have performed a sudden U-turn on Lacazette’s future, calling on the club to extend a deal that expires in July.
“He was terrific today again,” Arteta said after Lacazette scored his first goal since Boxing Day during Sunday’s 2-1 triumph over Leicester City.
“I think the way he understands the game, what we want. The confidence that he transmits to the rest of the players in the team is crucial. I’m really happy with him.”
An offer too good to turn down?
According to TEAMtalk, however, Lacazette and Arsenal remain poles apart on a contract extension. The former Lyon skipper, like Willian, wants a long-term deal. Arsenal are unwilling to meet his demands.
West Ham are, however.
Lacazette will be offered a ‘multi-year deal’ at the London Stadium. Which should come as no surprise, really, given that David Moyes lavished praise on Lacazette just a few weeks ago.
“I think they are very good at it (dropping into midfield)” Moyes said, hailing the Arsenal striker for his ability to fulfil a variety of roles on the pitch.
“And Lacazette does it very well.”
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