Arteta opposed as No 1 Edu target to succeed departing Arsenal star emerges

Arsenal technical director Edu is pushing the club to finance the signing of a top Ligue 1 star as he plans for a future without Alexandre Lacazette.

The French striker now has just under nine months remaining  of his contract at Arsenal. Lacazette, 30, appears destined to leave with talks over a new contract thus far failing to make a breakthrough. What’s more, a report in September indicated Lacazette has no desire to pen fresh terms anyway.

Lacazette will therefore leave as a free agent in the summer – unless a cut-price January sale is sanctioned first.

West Ham have been credited with interest, while AC Milan and Atletico Madrid are also believed to be in the mix. In any case, it’s looking increasingly likely Mikel Arteta will soon be in need of an addition to his forward line.

A report on Sunday indicated that Mikel Arteta had two preferred options in mind to replace Lacazette. First on the agenda was Italy striker Andrea Belotti, who boasts a fine record in Serie A with Torino.

The second target cited in the report is the surprising name of Eran Zahavi, a 34-year-old Israeli striker.

However, as per reports in Spain, via Caught Offside, the Gunners’ technical director Edu has another name in mind altogether.

And they say the Brazilian is keen for the Gunners to pursue the signing of title-winning Lille striker Jonathan David.

The 21-year-old attacker has lit up French football since his move from Gent in summer 2020.

Having netted 13 times in 48 games last season, David already has six in 12 appearances so far this.

A constant menace to opposing defenders, David is carving out quite the reputation for himself in Ligue 1.

Alexandre Lacazette is in demand

Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette is in demand with three clubs chasing the Frenchman, with more news on Arsenal target Noa Lang and Ben White.

Arsenal have previously raided Lille for their top stars, paying the French club a club-record £72m for winger Nicolas Pepe in 2019.

The Ivorian though has rarely found his best form in an Arsenal shirt, scoring 25 times in 95 games for the Gunners.

However, Edu is reportedly ready to return to Lille and make an approach for David. Any move is likely to have Arteta’s backing, despite the Spaniard seemingly casting his eyes elsewhere.

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Arsenal told they “can’t” deploy Aubameyang tactic

Meanwhile, former Manchester United striker Andy Cole feels Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can no longer play the way he did as a youngster and needs to operate in his favoured position to be effective.

Now 32, the Gabon international has struggled to match the goalscoring output he achieved during his early Arsenal career.

“With Aubameyang, play him in his right position – he will score goals. But you can’t have one of your best players playing on the left, chasing back,” Cole the Kelly and Wrighty Show, via The Boot Room.

“You take away why you signed him. On Sunday, he played in his position. That was his best game for Arsenal for some time. He wants to do well.”

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