Three clubs that Alexandre Lacazette could leave Arsenal for this summer

Alexandre Lacazette

Three clubs that Alexandre Lacazette could move to if he is to leave Arsenal in the summer

By Adam Le Roux

Will he, won’t he?

It seems to be the story that persists through every transfer window in the recent past, but this summer looks to be the defining moment in Alexandre Lacazette’s Arsenal career.

The striker has been rumoured to be leaving the Emirates for months now, and as he approaches the last year of his current deal the Gunners might decide now is the perfect time to cash in.

But with 11 Premier League goals to his name this season, he still has what it takes to cut it at the highest level. If he moves on, where might we see him end up?

A move to Madrid?

Alexandre Lacazette and Diego Simeone have history and this summer could be the time that the Argentinian gets his man at the third time of asking.

The Atleti boss was keen to land the striker last summer and even tabled a bid for the Frenchman, but the two clubs couldn’t come to an agreement on a price and the deal fell through - with Luis Suarez making the move to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium instead.

Alexandre Lacazette

And even before he played his football at the Emirates, Lacazette was a wanted man in the Spanish capital, with the club luring him to La Liga when he was still plying his trade in France with boyhood club Lyon - only for the move to fall through because of the Spanish side’s transfer ban.

But this summer things could be different, with all the pieces looking to fall into place at the perfect time. It makes sense for Arsenal to sell for a decent price and they’ll still get decent money to be reinvested into a replacement - everyone’s a winner.

With Atleti sitting top of the La Liga table by four points with ten matches to play, Laca would be all but guaranteed Champions League football for next season Alongside Suarez, Joao Felix and Moussa Dembele, the Frenchman could flourish in a potent forward line.

Sevilla could be a suitor

Staying in La Liga, and fourth-placed side Sevilla are also said to be showing an interest in the 29-year-old, who has scored 61 goals in his 161 games for the Gunners since making the move from Ligue 1 in 2017.

The Spanish side are regular competitors in European football, having won the Europa League four times in the last seven seasons, and look set to qualify for the Champions League in the next campaign.

Alexandre Lacazette

Star striker Youssef En-Nesyri continues to be a wanted man - having netted 22 times this campaign - and looks more than likely to be moving on to pastures new this summer, with West Ham having a £22.5m offer for the striker’s services rejected in January.

And if the Moroccan was to leave the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in the off season, Lacazette would be the perfect replacement for Julen Lopetegui’s side, with the likes of Jesus Navas, Suso and Ivan Rakitic all in support.

Is he off to Italy?

As well as interest from Spain, Lacazette is also said to be sparking interest in the Italian capital, with Roma reportedly keeping tabs on his situation ahead of the summer.

After being well off the pace this season and sitting in sixth place with ten matches remaining - 15 points behind leaders Inter Milan - it looks like the Italian giants will be wanting to shake up their front line ahead of the next campaign.

With Edin Dzeko, Stephan El Shaarawy and former Chelsea frontman Pedro in their ranks, Laca would be in excellent company to try to fire the club back up the table next year, and living within walking distance to the Trevi Fountain wouldn’t be too bad either.

In truth, either one of these three teams would be lucky to have Lacazette’s goalscoring instinct bolster their attacking lineups, and it would be a shame to see the Frenchman depart in the summer.

Arteta seems to be in a similar mindset as it stands, with the Spaniard still holding out hope that his striker to sign new terms when the season comes to a close.

“The situation with Laca we will address in the summer, speak to him and just propose the future we want and that’s it,” the Arsenal boss said.

Alexandre Lacazette

“Now I just want players focused and only focused on performing and getting the best out of them for the team.

“Yes I think he has been really good, in really good form for months now. He is sustaining that level, scoring goals and providing the team with something different as well. His work-rate has been phenomenal and it’s what we want.”

With the striker not even turning 30 until the end of May, he has plenty of years left at the highest level and has proved time and again this season that he can make the difference for the Gunners in that central striker role.

Whether he wants to fight for his place at the Emirates or strive for a new challenge is up to him, but Arsenal would be foolish to let him move on without putting up a fight.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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