ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE has not had any contract talks with Arsenal amid fears he could leave.
Gunners fans had hoped the £52million striker would sign an extended deal, but boss Mikel Arteta has revealed there have been no discussions about a new contract.
Lacazette hails his goal against West Ham with Aubameyang but boss Arteta has admitted there are no ongoing talks about a new contract for the strikerCredit: EPA
Lacazette, who opened the scoring in the 2-1 win over West Ham yesterday, could still move on when his current deal ends.
The 29-year-old former Lyon striker’s five-year deal will run out in June 2022, just over 20 months’ time.
Gunners fans were jubilant when skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed his new three-year deal last week.
With bonuses he could take home £350,000-a-week.
But now this lack of talks on Lacazette – who has said he wants to stay with the Londoners – could see the Frenchman move on before the window closes as Arsenal look to get top dollar before he moves into the final year of his contract.
Arteta said after the win over the Hammers: “At the moment we haven’t started any negotiations. We have a lot of things still to do in this market.
“He is a player I am really happy with. I think we showed him a lot of faith since I arrived here. But we cannot stop any speculation.
“We know that any player that is under two years contract is always going to be talked about.”
But Arteta has no fear that youngster Eddie Nketiah, who grabbed the winner against David Moyes’ Irons, can step up if Lacazette does move on.
The Spaniard said: “Eddie can do that every week. He’s hungry and has a great quality to score goals.”
Arteta has already completed the signings of Brazil centre-half Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille and Willian on a free from Chelsea.
He also wants to bring in one of two midfielders.
The Gunners chief has targeted Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey – linked with a swap for Lacazette.
Juventus also want Lacazette.
He has vowed to see out his contract but if a big offer comes in, Arsenal bean-counters will surely take it because of his age.
Mikel Arteta claims Arsenal are as big as Barcelona which helped convince Aubameyang to stay and sign new deal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
