Arsenal transfer stance on Alexandre Lacazette revealed

These spells of resurgence are commonplace with Alexandre Lacazette. Otherwise known as purple patches, the striker has been through numerous periods of form like this since he joined Arsenal.

His most recent run in the starting lineup has come at the expense of Martin Odegaard. The fabulous energy Lacazette transmitted after coming on against Crystal Palace was a change and performance that proved instrumental in clawing a point back at the death.

Since then the striker has continued to encourage and drive his teammates on with outstanding work rate and battling brawn, even if goal threat, his once most formidable trait, is no longer part of his fabric.

But it is impossible not to be endeared by the man behind the No. 9. A consummate professional, even though it is difficult to justify the £50m Arsenal spent on a centre-forward who has gradually drifted further away from goal since his arrival and averages a goal every 2.6 matches, he is someone it’s near impossible not to rally behind.

Arsenal transfer stance on Alexandre Lacazette revealed ahead of January transfer window as new contract for striker is mooted under Mikel Arteta

Passion on the pitch and dedication off it, there is a not a soul in London Colney who has a bad word to say about him, nor a new arrival or academy star who hasn’t felt the embrace of his arm around their shoulder.

When he eventually departs north London he will do so as a signing who didn’t live up to his billing. Acquired as a goalscoring striker – as if there is another kind – recording a season-high 19 goals across all competitions is not value for money.

There will be those who rightly state that he ‘offers so much more than goals’. While true, he wasn’t brought in from Lyon on big money to link play as a second striker. And, if he was, perhaps someone who had played that deeper creative role their whole career might have been more fitting.

With his contract expiring in the summer, and the 30-year-old being free to agree to a pre-contract with a foreign club in January, it appears his time is up.

The Athletic report, however, that the door has not been closed on this just yet. The rumours over what happens next for Lacazette have been ongoing since the beginning of last season and they’re still rumbling on.

It’s said that a short-term agreement with the Frenchman has not been ruled out. But under what terms?

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Lacazette Could Sign New Arsenal Deal – But it’s Unlikely

What would Lacazette prefer? This is someone who is clearly content with his life in north London, despite not being a regular feature in the starting lineup.

With a mass overhaul of the playing squad and so many new faces, the figure of Lacazette feels more important than ever. He feels like part of Arsenal. The person people will come to for advice.

Having taken up a more senior position this season, he evidently understands his role and what it means to wear the shirt. Playing time aside, he appears happy. Therefore, if a long-term deal were to be put on the table – one he’s said to be after – then he will put pen to paper.

Of course, Arsenal are in the process of building and restructuring. Handing Lacazette a new deal would both impact the development of their young strikers as well as limit their ability to bring in a new one in the coming windows. The next stage of evolution, to use an Arteta buzzword, of this squad is to invest in a new centre-forward; one who embodies the better traits of Laca and Auba.

But clearly Arsenal appreciate the importance of having someone like the Lyon-born man around, for harmony and seniority, as much as anything else. It’s not mentioned, nor should it factor in, but one does wonder how someone like Aubameyang would be impacted once he bids farewell to one half of football’s most cherished bromances.

Can we see it happening? Lacazette would have to agree to a contract heavily reduced in salary and shortened to suit Arsenal’s needs, whereas the position he finds himself in will have European sides lining up to sign a free agent in the summer with a lot more still to offer. The ball is in his court.

It’s not known for certain, but he must be seeing the potential of one final ‘big’ move with regular football, and be tempted. It is hard to see there being a middle ground to satisfy all parties.

As important as Lacazette’s role may be behind the scenes though, it is nonetheless time to move on. Nobody will have a bad word to say about him off the pitch, and that part of his character is not easy to replace, but if Arsenal are to take the next step of their development then they are kidding themselves if they don’t think there is a new ‘Lacazette’ out there.

They have the financial capability to acquire that target, and moving heaven and earth to do so can propel this team to new heights.

As much as having Lacazette ‘there’ would be pleasant, it equally prevents Arsenal from going elsewhere..