Football writer Charles Watts has claimed that Arsenal will not offer Alexandre Lacazette a new contract, as he expects the Frenchman to leave next summer.
As things stand, the 30-year-old striker will see his current deal with the team expire this summer. As we head ever closer to January, it would be fair to assume negotiations of a new deal would have well and truly begun if there were any intentions to renew from either party.
Taking this into account, the journalist has claimed that this is a clear indication of a future departure for Lacazette.
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts explained his take on the situation, saying: “[Lacazette is] out of contract in the summer, not signed a new deal, no deal on the table for him as it stands with Arsenal.
“Personally, I’ll be very surprised if Alexandre Lacazette is an Arsenal player next season. I just don’t see [it]. I’d be really surprised if he gets himself into a contract.”
TIF Thoughts on Alexandre Lacazette and Arsenal…
Lacazette joined Arsenal as a club-record signing for a fee reported to be in the region of £52.6m with add-ons. Since then, he has regularly provided goals, albeit not quite at a prolific level – indeed, the Frenchman has scored 61 times in 181 appearances.
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Despite his dwindling contract status, he has still been used fairly regularly by Mikel Arteta this season, playing in 11 games across all competitions, scoring three times and adding one assist.
Lacazette will likely be glad to play so often as it will afford him the opportunity to impress potential suitors and earn himself a move to a good club when his contract does expire, as judging from Watts’ claim, he certainly seems unlikely to be at Arsenal next season.
In other news: ‘Mikel must be thinking’ – Charles Watts claims player is ‘beginning to cost’ Arsenal