Arsenal are unlikely to extend Alexandre Lacazette's contract as they seek to get his wages off their books, football.london understands. The Frenchman's contract is due to expire this summer, but Mikel Arteta has always publicly left the door open for him to potentially stay.
“We have discussions, as you know, and at the end of the season, once we know where we are, we will make a decision altogether,” the Spaniard said. “I don’t want anyone to think about something else that is not that. The decision, we agreed, is to do it in the summer and we’re going to do it as soon as the season is finished.”
However, the Gunners are understood to be keen to shift Lacazette's salary, which is thought to be in the region of £180,000 per week. The club have overseen a recent restructuring of their wage bill, with big earners like Willian, Sead Kolasinac, David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all being moved on, while new signings like Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard have all come in on salaries relatively closer to the rest of the squad.
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Lacazette himself has admitted that he has been talking to other clubs, with a return to Lyon among his options. “I am in discussions with a lot of clubs," the 30-year-old said. “I am open. 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 know that I am free, they have to come with a proposal.
“I want to play in Europe, it’s been a long time since I played in the Champions League, I’m missing it. It’s a little more complicated, nothing is impossible in life, but it’s a little more complicated.”
Lacazette has failed to score from open play in over 20 hours of football. However, many have cited his contribution away from goalscoring as a potential reason for him to stay, with no player in the Gunners squad having managed more assists this season.
The Frenchman was replaced in the starting line up for the 1-0 defeat to Southampton by Eddie Nketiah after testing positive for COVID-19. Speaking in his post-match press conference after the loss at St. Mary's, Arteta admitted there is a possibility that could keep him out of Wednesday's match against Chelsea. "It will depend on whether he’s negative, his symptoms are clear and whether he’s ready to play."
Whether Lacazette ends up leaving or not it is thought that Arsenal will be in the market for a striker this summer. football.london understands that Darwin Nunez of Benfica is among the players being looked at, while Edu held meetings with Jonathan David's agent in December amid rumours over a switch from Lille.
