Surprise suitor emerges with plan to take Arsenal striker back to Ligue 1

Eddie Nketiah, Alexandre Lacazette Arsenal substitution

Monaco have entered the race to sign Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette amid ongoing contract doubts, according to reports.

Lacazette has been with Arsenal since 2017, when they paid Lyon £52m to sign him.

In his Gunners career so far, the Frenchman has 58 goals from 156 games. That includes 45 goals from 118 appearances in the Premier League.

This season, he has scored 10 times from 29 appearances, but there are fears that these may be the final few months of his Arsenal career.

Lacazette is out of contract in 2022, meaning Arsenal may consider selling him in the summer to avoid losing him for free.

Mikel Arteta remains fond of the striker, but it is not yet clear if he will sign a contract extension. If he does not, then the best course of action may be to cash in on him.

According to The Mirror, Lacazette has admirers back in Ligue 1. Monaco would like to sign him.

Could Lacazette switch bring out best in Auba?

Could Lacazette switch bring out best in Auba?

Moving Alexandre Lacazette into a deeper No 10 role could bring out the best of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for Arsenal, says Alan Smith.

The side from the Principality are keeping tabs on the 29-year-old’s situation ahead of the summer transfer window. With little time left on his contract, he may be available for a cut-price fee.

Arteta has already confirmed that contract talks with Lacazette will have to wait until the end of the season. But after trimming their wage bill in recent months, the signs may point to Arsenal trying to get his £150,000-per-week terms off the books.

Lacazette one of several to leave?

Alexandre Lacazette Arsenal snood TEAMtalk

In fact, a recent report named Lacazette as one of the players who could make way as part of the club’s cost-cutting measures.

The Sun claimed that as well as Lacazette, Arsenal could sell Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi, both of whom are out on loan this season.

There is also the chance that fellow loaned out players Sead Kolasinac, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock could also leave on a permanent basis.

READ MORE: Arteta explains why Aubameyang has his full trust