Arsenal set to cash in on top scorer Lacazette; three alternatives eyed

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Arsenal are reportedly ready to cash in on leading scorer Alexandre Lacazette, with three alternatives already being eyed up Mikel Arteta and Edu.

The France striker will enter the final of his contract this summer and the report in the Daily Express claims that the Gunners are willing to sell, rather than let the player leave for nothing in 2022. And three names are being mentioned as potential replacements.

Lacazette is the club’s top scorer this season, with his 17 goals in all competitions. He is currently two ahead of fellow frontman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

But unlike Aubameyang, who signed up to a new deal until 2023 last summer, Lacazette is not currently tied down to a long-term deal.

Arteta and Arsenal technical director Edu are expected to launch a squad overhaul this summer. They are chasing two new full-backs, a midfielder, a striker and a keeper.

And despite his impressive form this term, Lacazette could be one of the casualties of an Emirates revamp.

The Express claims that talks are expected to take place soon over the 29-year-old’s situation. However, Goal states that could end with him being sold.

Lacazette is a popular member of the Arsenal squad. However, funds raised from his sale could be crucial in Arteta building a new team.

May 12 Transfer Chatter: Arsenal want Dembele, Chelsea plan Barca swap and Roma want White

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Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard is high on Arsenal’s list of potential replacements. But the Gunners are set to face competition from Leicester for the 23-year-old.

Edouard has scored 16 Scottish Premiership goals this season. He also has just a year left on his contract at Celtic Park.

Arsenal are also said to be tracking Sporting Lisbon’s 18-year-old forward Tiago Tomas, as well as Lyon star Moussa Dembele, who is currently on loan at Atletico Madrid.

The potential sale of Lacazette is expected to fetch around £30m, with Atletico stating their interest in the player in the past.


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Arsenal players concerned over backroom staff

Meanwhile, Arsenal’s London Colney training ground is far from a harmonious place at present, with reports that some players are not happy with Mikel Arteta’s staff.

It’s only a month ago that the first sign of cracks at reportedly appeared with the squad unsure over Arteta. That was the verdict from The Sun, who had an exclusive which revealed “growing resentment from players” with the Gunners boss. It was the first time really the spotlight has fallen on the Spanish boss after arriving from Manchester City 16 months ago.

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The pressure is certainly on Arteta. The club were recently bundled out of the Europa League and sit way off the pace in the Premier League.

And wow, according to The Athletic, a number of players have been left “concerned” with the Spaniard’s backroom team.

The appointment of Bruno Mazziotti has not gone down well in north London. The former Paris Saint-Germain physio has apparently had a number of disagreements with Arsenal’s existing medical staff. But further to that some Arsenal players have concerns over goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana.

Cana, 45, arrived just a few days after Arteta in December 2019. He moved from Brentford to join the Gunners and replaced respected figures Sal Bibbo and Andy Woodman.

But the report claims some of the players are not sure about the Spaniard’s suitability at the club.

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