Arsenal are thought to be actively pursuing Alexandre Lacazette to bring him to the Emirates this summer. The French forward has been a long-term target of the Gunners, with previous moves for the 26-year-old failing to materialise in previous transfer windows.
However, Arsenal have been handed a lifeline in the form of a transfer embargo for Spanish side Atletico Madrid. Atletico had already verbally agreed a move for the Lyon striker, but are now unable to make the signing official until January 2018, thereby handing the Gunners a window in which they could swoop in and steal the Frenchman.
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This means Arsene Wenger will have to move fast if he does want to sign Lacazette, with Lyon club president Michel Aulas stating: “I do not intend to sell Alexandre quickly, because there is always the will of Atletico Madrid to bring it to January 1.”
Also read: Ranking all of Arsenal's summer transfer targets
Wenger is in the market for a prolific striker to bolster the Gunners’ attack next season, with reports suggesting that he’s looking at the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Andrea Belotti, but here are five reasons why Lacazette might pip the lot to become Arsenal’s perfect signing.
#5 Arsenal need a star signing to lift spirits
Arsenal had what was arguably their worst season in decades, despite adding yet another FA Cup trophy to their honours list. The Gunners finished outside of the top 4 for the first time under Wenger’s reign and ultimately failed to qualify for the Champions League. Not only this, but they also finished behind rivals Tottenham for the first time since George Graham’s final season in charge in 1995/96.
This will have left fans disappointed whilst lowering the squad morale. Therefore a star signing may be the way to turn all of this around.
Arsenal’s spirits visibly lifted after the signings of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, winning trophies in both seasons after their arrival, however, this season, a trophy has been matched with a failure to secure a Champions League spot. The boost a star signing would provide may even convince the likes of Sanchez, Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to sign new contracts, given that they will be free to leave by the end of next season.
#4 He’ll fit into the Arsenal set up
Lacazette has only just turned 26, in comparison to a 30-year-old Olivier Giroud who, despite having a reasonable campaign for the Gunners last season, still looks off the pace on counter-attacks when flanked by the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
However, Lacazette will fit in with Arsenal’s counter-attacking play as well as the various formations that the Gunners play. Whether it is Arsenal’s traditional four at the back or the newly adopted three at the back we saw late last season, Lacazette has the attributes to be an important striker for the side.
Arsenal currently have a lot of pace on each flank; when playing three at the back Lacazette may have Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain and Hector Bellerin bombing down the right flank or Nacho Monreal and new boy Sead Kolasinac on the left side as they assume wing-back positions. Meanwhile, with four at the back, Lacazette could see more traditional wingers alongside him in the form of Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott and Welbeck.
His injection of pace as well his ability to dribble out of tight spots will make him a serious concern for opposition defences. Arsenal’s playing style has simply not suited Giroud who looks to get on the end of crosses, but with a cross completion rate of just 22% last season, it is clear that Arsenal could not make their play fit his strengths.
Giroud’s style differs to that of Lacazette who looks to pick up the ball and help make his own chances, who, with brilliant control on the ball and great strength, is able to work his own way through opposition defences to create goals. Such ability has been rewarded in Ligue 1, with the Frenchman featuring in the ‘Team of The Year’ on three occasions.
#3 He’s a top ten finisher
Since the 2012/13 season, there have been just nine forwards who have scored more goals than Lacazette in Europe’s top five leagues. This includes the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, Lewandowski, Aubameyang and Aguero.
Last season, Lacazette achieved the highest chance conversion rate in Europe’s top five leagues, converting 38.9% of the chances that fell to him. Lacazette finished the last two Ligue 1 seasons as the second top scorer behind Cavani and Ibrahimovic respectively. However, he has previously topped the scorers’ charts, netting 27 goals.
The 26-year-old registered a career-best 28 goals in Ligue 1 last season, more than Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and Lucas Perez combined. This obviously has to be taken with a pinch of salt, due to the difference between the two leagues. However, Arsenal have been missing such a prolific striker in recent years. Lacazette can bring a new injection of pace and precision to the conventional striker role that is currently held by Giroud.
#2 He is no stranger to Europe
Lacazette is no stranger to European competition. The Lyon striker has featured in both the Europa League and Champions League competitions for Lyon. The Frenchman has appeared on 47 occasions in both competitions combined and has scored 15 goals in these appearances. With Arsenal set for their first season in the Europa League, Lacazette’s experience may prove vital.
The French striker might be the player to take them all the way and help them push for a Champions League spot next season.
#1 The Lyon club president has confirmed he is on the market
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is known for being vocal regarding transfer news. So much so that when questioned about rumours around Lacazette, Aulas stated “that there could be interest from Arsenal”.
The club president further went on to express the sort of fee that would be required for a transfer to be considered.
“Everyone knows that the offer from Atletico is €53m plus €12 million in bonuses. That is €65 million. As the Arsenal representatives have been told, a deal would occur around there.”
This means that the French international is available if Arsenal are willing to match the fee that Atletico have promised Lyon once their transfer embargo is lifted. With a budget of over £200 million, the Gunners have more than enough resources to invest in Lacazette who may prove his worth, having scored 100 goals in just over 200 outings in a Lyon shirt.
