Arsenal: 4 striker transfer scenarios for January window

3. Lacazette Leaves – Nketiah and Balogun Stay

Arsenal have historically held on to players for too long. Offers have come in, been turned down, and the club has been left to rue their reluctance for risk.

What if someone makes an offer of, say, £10m in January for Lacazette? While he has undoubted importance to the group and the team, can they realistically turn down another opportunity to cash in on someone whose stocks are up?

It’s an interesting position the club will find themselves in as they will have to balance out what worth they could get from him in January with what his presence on and off the pitch could get them come the end of the season.

The offer has to actually arrive, mind you.

Knowing he will be available for free in the summer, offers in that region are unlikely. Of course, there is no knowing, and the desperation for a striker in mid-season could see teams try and jump the queue for his signature.

Perhaps more importantly, however, is the topic of whether Arsenal can afford to let him go and have Nketiah, Martinelli and Balogun as the backup centre-forwards. He may not be playing as a natural No. 9 now but at some stage Arsenal are likely to reintroduce Martin Odegaard and play Aubameyang as the lone striker. If the latter gets injured, can Arteta trust any of those three to lead the line?

It’s an interesting scenario, that’s for sure.

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