Arsenal are reportedly long-time admirers of Lyon’s star striker Alexandre Lacazette and could make a move for the player after he admitted he is open to a move to the Premier League.
Liverpool and Arsenal are both thought to be very interested in signing Lacazette, having sent scouts to France numerous times this season. He has scored 19 goals in 20 appearances for Lyon and is rumoured to be valued at around £15-20 million by the French club.
Speaking to Yahoo, Lacazette said that he “doesn’t have a preference” of whether to move to either England or Spain, despite supporting Barcelona as a child.
In March, the striker has said that he is “tempted to try and experience abroad at a big club.”, only fuelling speculation that he was Premier League bound.
He added in that interview:
“My contract with Lyon expires in 2016, so we must see what the president [Jean-Michel] Aulas will say and decide.
“Are Arsenal and Liverpool interested in me? I repeat that an experience in another major championship fascinates me. But for now I just think of doing well for Lyon, the club where I have grown up.”
Arsenal are well known for tapping into the French market and Arsene Wenger will know all about the player.
With all that being said, do Arsenal really need him? There’s no doubt he’s a very good young striker, but Arsenal already have a number of high quality options in attacking positions. Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud are already fighting over the #9 position and Alexis Sanchez has filled in that spot this season. It’s a bit crowded. Arsenal are in desperate, desperate need of other players in other positions.
So while Lacazette is an exciting player and would be a great addition, it’s probably an unnecessary signing.
