Arsenal reach decision on Lacazette as Aubameyang talks continue

Arsenal will sell Alexandre Lacazette once Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signs a new contract, according to a report.

The futures of both strikers are in question at the Emirates Stadium. Aubameyang is out of contract next summer, while Lacazette – whose deal expires in 2022 – has also been linked with an exit.

It seems unlikely that Arsenal will be able to keep both players this summer. And now, the Daily Star claim that keeping Aubameyang is their priority.

Reports emerged from the Telegraph earlier this week that Arsenal had offered Aubameyang a new contract until 2023. The striker will earn a pay-rise of around £50,000-per-year as a result.

Another consequence of Aubameyang’s new deal, though, will be the departure of Lacazette, according to the Star.

The tabloid claims that Arsenal will allow Lacazette to leave once Aubameyang signs up. With Atletico Madrid the most interested party, the Gunners will ask for £30m.

That would be £16.5m less than the price Arsenal initially paid to sign Lacazette in 2017. But with no contract talks ongoing between the two parties, it may be time for them to cut their losses.

Lacazette’s record of scoring 37 goals in 97 appearances is by no means a poor return. However, Aubameyang has been more prolific, and the club are willing to show faith in young forwards Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli. Therefore, Lacazette is likely to move on before his value drops further.

He could have joined Atletico Madrid in the summer he moved to Arsenal, but the Spanish giants were not able to bring him in due to a transfer ban.

Now, they have reignited their interest, and may finally get their man three years later. Lacazette would be an important reinforcement to an attack that has seen only one player – Alvaro Morata – score double figures this season.

And with the Frenchman desperate for regular first team football, a move may be the best solution. Lacazette started just 22 of a possible 38 Premier League games in 2019-20.