Arsenal: Grafting for Alexandre Lacazette worth the effort

Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas has stated that much work is still to be done over Arsenal’s potential deal for Alexandre Lacazette. Such is the Frenchman’s quality, however, any graft that Arsene Wenger must do is worth it.

Modern day transfer are extremely difficult and complicated. As the publicity that engulfs the furore over a big name transfer increases, combined with the extortionate prices, the meddling influence of agents, and the conflated and sometimes confused ambitions of players and fans, transfers become more and more awkward to complete, as Arsenal have painfully discovered over the years.

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Arsene Wenger is notoriously hesitant to dip his toe into the murky transfer waters, often choosing the more pragmatic, realistic option. He prefers the easier, more straightforward avenues, even when better players are perhaps available.

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That is a concerning characteristic when it comes to the potential signing of Alexandre Lacazette. The Lyon striker has long been linked with a move to the Gunners, especially as their proposed interest in Kylian Mbappe has been spurned with Monaco standing strong and Real Madrid also sniffing around, and in recent days there has been major progression. However, there are suggestions from Lyon President, Jean-Michel Aulas, that there is still much work to be done regarding any possible transfer:

"“I do not intend to sell Alexandre quickly. Because there is always the option of Atletico Madrid to signing him on January 1, 2018. I also listen to what Alexandre says. I saw Arsene (Wenger) during the match between France and England. I was with Gerard Houllier (a club adviser) and I understand he told Gerard that there could be an interest from Arsenal. But it is premature to say that things will be done.”"

Given the profile of the transfer, the media coverage that it garners and the frenzy that is incurred within the fan base and around the club, it is no surprise that it will take time and work, as Aulas rightly points out.

But that does not mean that Lacazette is not worth the effort, effort that Wenger would characteristically shy away from. The Frenchman is a consistently lethal goalscorer, having improved his strike rate year on year, offers a pace, mobility and intensity in the final third that Arsenal have been missing, and boasts a reputation and calibre that begins to prove the ambition that Wenger and the club spouted entering the summer window.

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Lacazette is an excellent player, a player that the Gunners have been calling out for, for far too long. Let’s hope that Wenger is willing to put in the work to secure his signature, and he is most definitely worth it.