Arsenal: Surprise contender emerges for Alexandre Lacazette signature

Arsenal are set to sell Alexandre Lacazette in the summer as the out-of-favour striker will be entering the final year of his contract come the end of the season.

With the mood lifted in the aftermath of the 4-3 aggregate success over Benfica, the performances of late from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have temporarily dispelled the issues facing Arsenal up front.

Five goals in his last three matches have silenced longing doubts over his potential at centre-forward, as the fear grew over the first half of the season that he had ‘lost his superpowers’, as one pundit put it.

There are obvious flaws with the 31-year-old as the lone striker, and personnel behind him need altering to ensure he is at his most productive, but as he continues to find the back of the net at crucial moments, such talk is put to one side.

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette emerges as surprise contender for Monaco in the summer transfer window

What it does mean is that the other options in the squad, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, have fallen out of favour. Even in a congested fixture period the pair barely get a look-in. The former consigned to a spot on the bench in the last four fixtures.

Lacazette is nearing 30 and has 18 months left on his contract, a situation that, rightly, means Arsenal will look to accrue monetary gain for him in the summer. Links to Atletico Madrid have been long-standing, although it is now Monaco who have emerged as a surprise contender for the striker, as per the Mirror.

Understandably reluctant to let him run down his final year, the preferred next step is to sell, even if Mikel Arteta has publicly revealed that discussions will be had over a potential new contract.

Despite that, Arsenal are moving away from previous failings and the need for funds this summer to acquire the long list of targets, a well as replace the long list of likely departures, leaves no room for sentiment.

Lacazette has 58 Arsenal goals in 158 appearances for the club, with his best season coming in the 2018/19 campaign where he won the Player of the Year award. His form has been indifferent throughout, enjoying fruitful spells and barren periods in near equal measure, but his future will be decided on the highest bidder. Monaco entering the fray is reassuring. The more clubs interested the merrier.