Arsenal transfer stance on Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah revealed

Folarin Balogun Stance Impacts Nketiah and Lacazette

The young striker has questioned whether he has a clear path towards the first team, and with Eddie Nketiah playing just ten minutes of Premier League football since Christmas but still in the squad ahead of him, you can understand his point of view.

You could, if the intention was to keep Nketiah, which it appears won’t be the case. Whether he signs a new contract before being loaned out, or if Arsenal accrue a healthy enough sum for a young, relatively experienced English striker, his gradual drift away from the senior side hints strongly towards and exit in some capacity.

Lacazette’s future has long-been discussed from all corners of the club due to his age and contract length, and despite finding some of his best form this season, that scoring streak will be taken advantage of to hike up his price rather than tie him down to a new deal.

However, both departing requires a reaction. It would leave Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to lead the line and Balogun to be his sole backup, a huge role to bestow on a 19-year-old without a Premier League appearance to his name.

It’s been heavily suggested that Tiago Tomas is closing in on a summer deal, perhaps as Balogun’s Under-23 replacement, but another striker who is ready to hit the ground running has to be acquired. How expensive and obtainable said player will be depends on the target, who would need to be convinced of Europa League football – and even that is not assured.

Gabriel Martinelli has the intelligence to play the role, as witnessed in last season’s Europa League, although an experienced, well-rounded centre-forward has to be on the list of options.

What is encouraging is an apparent pro-active approach, one that looks to the long-term plan as opposed to being swayed by short-term, as might’ve been the case with Lacazette.