Journalist and broadcaster Julien Laurens has been discussing the reports linking Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette with a move to Atletico Madrid this summer on ESPN FC.
According to the Daily Star, the Gunners are keen to offload the French striker but they’re waiting to see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put pen-to-paper on a new contract first. Despite the fact that according to Transfermarkt.co.uk, Lacazette is valued at £43.2m, the report suggests Arsenal would be looking to receive £30m for the 29-year-old.
The former Lyon striker’s contract is due to expire in June 2022 (via Transfermarkt.co.uk) and given the club’s Head of Football Raul Sanllehi has previously made it clear he will not allow key players to run down their contracts it feels as though it could be decision time with regards to Lacazette’s situation.
When asked if the forward was likely to be on his way to La Liga this summer, Laurens responded by saying:
“I don’t think so, at least I was not told that he was going to Spain or to Atletico, those rumours have been going on for months now. He wants to stay at Arsenal, he’s very happy there, he’s got two more years on his contract. I think [Mikel] Arteta was very happy to use him and to play him. Aubameyang cannot do as a centre-forward what Lacazette does, they’re two very different players.
“I do believe that Aubameyang was so good, especially after the restart and especially in those FA Cup games – because Lacazette was very good as well in those games.”
TIF Thoughts…
Lacazette managed 10 Premier League goals for the Gunners last season in 30 appearances and according to WhoScored.com, his average performance rating was 6.92/10.
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Laurens made reference to the point that in his view, the striker’s performances of late have had a positive impact on those of his fellow forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, therefore, we believe there is certainly an argument to say that the pair complement one another.
The Arsenal fans, in our view, should take encouragement from the journalist’s comments and can remain hopeful they will keep hold of both forwards ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.