Arsenal project extended with new transfer rule which could see U-turn pulled on departing forward

Mikel’s Arteta’s project at Arsenal has been extended with a new transfer rule which could see a U-turn pulled on Alexandre Lacazette, it’s been claimed.

Since his appointment in late 2019, Spanish manager Arteta has transformed the Gunners both on and off the pitch. Working alongside technical director Edu, they have used a youthful recruitment drive which has resulted in a squad brimming with potential.

As such, it has seemed for a long time that Lacazette’s time at the Emirates would be up this summer.

His contract expires at the end of the season, and he is one of a few players left in the squad who are aged 30 or over.

However, he could yet continue under Arteta next season by signing a one-year contract extension with the option of another.

That’s according to L’Equipe, who report that is what Arsenal will do with those in his age bracket from now onwards.

They have made the mistake of giving ageing players longer deals in the past. Willian’s three-year contract is one such example.

Lacazette has bought into the Arteta’s game plan, though, hence why he was handed the armband following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure.

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Whether he’d want to sign only a short-term deal remains to be seen, with a new striker on the list of targets for the next window.

However, he’d earn move than most suitors would be able to offer him. For now, his focus is on finishing the season in the top four.

Lacazette focused on season end

He told Mundo Deportivo: “We’re focused on being in the top four. We want to get the team into the Champions League next season.

“We work for it all week. And at the moment it’s working.

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“We want to continue like this, working hard every day to play well at the weekend.

“Arteta is the leader, the boss, even the boss of the club. Since he arrived, a lot of things have changed, including everyone’s mentality. It’s all about him.”

Arsenal waiting for contract renewals

Waiting until the season has concluded is also the stance of Arteta.

“There is a chance [Lacazette will sign a new contract], but we have decisions to make on three or four players in regards to the summer,” he has said.

“Starting those conversations right now, I don’t think is the right way.

“We have spoken to all the players, what to expect, the freedom that they have because the contracts allow them to make any decisions and with our position there.

“That’s what we are going to do. At the end of the season, we will sit down and decide what’s the best for all the parties.”

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