Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has revealed in an interview that his agents are “looking” at options for him as he prepares for life after four years at Arsenal.
The striker’s contract will run out in the summer and his latest comments imply that he’s not looking to spend any more time at the Emirates, despite being a fan favourite.
The 30-year-old joined Arsenal in 2017 from Olympique Lyonnais as one of the hottest strikers in world football. He was supposed to move to Atletico de Madrid, but the deal fell through due to the transfer ban placed on Atletico for one year.
He eventually signed for the Gunners for £46.5 million, a record fee at the time for both Lyon and Arsenal. He has scored 51 times in 135 appearances for the Gunners – a record which could’ve been a lot more if not for occasional fitness issues that kept him out of the team for extended spells.
He has, however, found his playing time cut by a lot since Mikel Arteta took over as Arsenal’s head coach in 2019, and has started only four Premier League games this season and 10 in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing one assist.
The 30-year-old striker reportedly earns around £200,000 per week at the Emirates Stadium, which is why the Gunners are reluctant to extend his deal on his current salary.
Lacazette will have no problems finding a replacement club, as Newcastle United, AC Milan, Olympique de Marseille and Atletico de Madrid are currently all courting the striker.
Lacazette wants a beautiful project
Speaking with French football channel Telefoot, Lacazette said: “Of course, my agents are starting to look to the right and to the left. But not until January, I really want to focus myself on something.
“And then we will see what is on offer, if the challenges are interesting; if there are beautiful projects, how they are counting on me.
“So there are still many questions, I prefer to wait until January to position myself.”
Mikel Arteta’s comments on the situation also suggest that he can do without the striker. The Gunners boss thinks it is important that the club continues to communicate with Lacazette for both parties to be clear on what they want.
“That’s a position that’s happening more and more in football,” Arteta said about Lacazette’s case. “He is not the only one, we have a few.
“That’s something we have to deal with, with contracts that they were coming from a few years ago, with certain particularities. We knew that was the case.
“I have already spoken with them individually about how we have to handle those situations the best possible way, and that’s it.
“The important thing is that communication is clear, and the intentions of both parties, while they are together, are very clear.”
Antonio Conte wants Arsenal target
Meanwhile, reports from Calciomercato show that Arsenal’s pursuit of Juventus’ winger Dejan Kulusevski is being threatened by Tottenham Hotspurs and Antonio Conte
Calciomercato reports that Kulusevski has fallen out of grace with Max Allegri at Juventus and that the Bianconeri manager “doesn’t want to find space for the Swedish international, and doesn’t consider him ready and is difficult to place on the pitch.
Kulusevski is valued at £30 million. The winger wants to play more and will be open to a move away from Juventus to a club that can guarantee him the playing time he needs. Arsenal now have to battle Antonio Conte’s massive pull to be able to land the winger from Juventus.
