Alexandre Lacazette’s future at Arsenal has been the subject of much speculation over the course of the season. The 30-year-old’s contract expires next month allowing him to walk away from the club on a free transfer, and as yet a new deal between the club and player is yet to be agreed.
The Frenchman lost his place in Mikel Arteta's starting XI at the back end of the season after scoring just four Premier League goals. Lacazette was replaced by Eddie Nketiah, who thrived up front; notching five goals in Arsenal's last seven games.
With his contract expiring next month coupled with losing his place in the first team, it currently looks unlikely that Lacazette will put pen to paper on a new contract. The Gunners striker revealed in a recent interview with Canal Plus that he was in discussions with other clubs and that he ‘missed’ playing in the Champions League.
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Arteta appeared to be angered by his comments, reminding the Frenchman that his current employers should be his main focus. He said: "His contract situation allows him to make a decision about his future. We have expressed our intention is to speak in the summer.
“For the rest, I just want him fully focussed on his duty which is to defend Arsenal in the best possible way."
With Lacazette and Nketiah both out of contract next month Arsenal have been linked with a number of strikers including Gabriel Jesus, Tammy Abraham and Marcus Rashford. The Gunners are likely to bring in at least one striker if Nketiah departs and considering the 22-year-old is already above Lacazette in the pecking order, his replacement would in all likelihood be as well. Particularly if the club manage to sign Jesus or Abraham who are both considerably younger than and have enjoyed far more prolific seasons respectively.
In the aforementioned interview with Canal Plus Lacazette also gave a clue as to where he could be playing his football next season, he said: “I have never cut contact with Lyon since I left, I try to return to the club once or twice a year to see the medical staff because we are really close. Lyon knows that I am free, they have come to the information.”
