Arsenal to open talks with Alexandre Lacazette over transfer future ‘soon’ as striker’s contract continues to run down
ARSENAL striker Alexandre Lacazette will begin talks with the North London club ‘soon’ as he prepares to decide on his future.
The Frenchman has been linked with a moved back to his home country as rumours of a potential transfer to Monaco have been muted.
But Arteta remains coy on whether he expects Lacazette to leave or not come the end of the season.
When asked whether the striker could leave in the summer, he said: “He’s got a contract with us.
“He played really well the other week. It’s exactly what we demand him to do.
“I’m really happy with him and the discussions about his contract will happen soon and we will see what happens.”
Lacazette signed for Arsenal for £46.5million on a five-year deal back in 2017, meaning his contract expires next summer.
Since joining nearly four years ago, he has scored 59 goals in 157 games for the club.
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But there is now a great deal of competition in the forward positions at Arsenal, with youngsters Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe being joined by new signings Willian and Martin Odegaard.
And then there is the figure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who, despite a difficult goalscoring run of late, remains one of Arteta’s most valuable assets.
However, Lacazette has by no means suffered from a lack of game time this season as Arteta has featured him in 30 matches in which he has scored 11 goals.
But the Gunners will be looking to improve in the summer window after a disappointing Premier League campaign up to this point sees them sitting tenth.