Arsenal in contract talks with star duo, but key issue could halt progress

Arsenal have begun negotiations with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette over contract extensions at the club, according to a report.

Aubameyang, whose current deal at the Emirates runs out in the summer of 2021, has been in electric form for the Gunners having scored seven goals in as many games.

Lacazette scored two goals in his first three league appearances but has since been sidelined with an ankle injury and is expected to be back in action at the end of October.

According to the Daily Mail, a new deal for Aubameyang is seen as a priority by the Arsenal hierarchy, who want to tie him down to fresh terms to make it more unlikely that the Gabon international will leave for another club.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang TEAMtalk

Lacazette is also seen as a vital part of the side going forward and the newspaper adds that Arsenal are basing any potential progress with their recruitment drive on the ability to offload Mesut Ozil on loan in January.

Ozil currently earns £350,000 per week and the report says that Arsenal will be able to make much more headway in proceedings with Aubameyang and Lacazette if they can get the German’s wage bill off the books.

Should Ozil leave Arsenal, Unai Emery’s side are reportedly interested in signing Martin Odegaard as his long-term replacement.

 

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