Alexandre Lacazette has chosen not to sign a new deal with Arsenal and will be joining Lyon as a free agent, according to multiple sources.
L’Equipe, 90Min and a few others are claiming that the Frenchman will return to Lyon for a second stint, this time as a free agent and after playing more than 200 games for the Gunners.
OL are now closing on Alexandre Lacazette, free transfer set to be completed as per @lequipe. Arsenal have been informed by Lacazette about OL proposal this week. 🔴🇫🇷 #OL
“We’ll do our best to sign him”, Aulas said in February ⤵️🤝 https://t.co/RzRcIcdrU1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 2, 2022
According to the reports, Lacazette has agreed to take a substantial pay cut to return to the Ligue 1 and this exit means Mikel Arteta needs to pull up his socks.
The club has managed to hold onto Eddie Nketiah but the youngster will not be the main striker next season so they need to bring in one or maybe two influential centre-forwards during the summer.
Lacazette might have scored only four goals in the Premier League last season but his exit has left a gaping hole in the squad. Arsenal have been linked with several strikers in the previous few months so we decided to take a look at some of them and their possibility of joining the Emirates Stadium.
Richarlison – Everton:
Richarlison might be sold by Everton and Arsenal have been strongly linked with the Brazilian. A player like him can do wonders under Arteta but if he is indeed up for sale then a series of other clubs will be queueing up for his signature.
He will be a very competent replacement for Lacazette but Arsenal will find it really hard to get their hands on the 25-year-old.
Darwin Nunez – Benfica:
Nunez was linked with Arsenal pretty early on but the rumours have since died down primarily because Arsenal won’t be able to meet Benfica’s asking price.
Also, the forward wants to play in the Champions League, something which the Gunners cannot offer right now.
Tammy Abraham – AS Roma:
The ex-Chelsea man has had a dream run with Roma and there are chances that he might want to return to the Premier League.
Mourinho has indicated that he won’t stop Tammy from leaving but if he wants to come back then Chelsea will be the favourites to resign him.
Victor Osimhen – Napoli:
The Napoli striker has also been discussed internally but we don’t think Arsenal will make a formal move for the 23-year-old because the Serie A forward is currently valued at around £100 million.
Gabriel Jesus – Man City:
Jesus is perhaps the most likely to replace Alex Lacazette at Arsenal.
Manchester City are fighting tooth and nail to hold onto him but Jesus and his entourage have made it clear that he does not want to sign a new deal at the Etihad.
His agent has also confirmed the Arsenal links so a move to the Emirates looks very probable at this point in time.
