Everton, West Ham in running to sign high-class Arsenal contract rebel
Everton and West Ham are reportedly among a number of Premier League clubs hunting a move for an Arsenal attacker who will be out of contract next summer.
Striker Alexandre Lacazette is attracting plenty of interest from across Europe, given his current contract status. The Frenchman can either leave for a cut-price fee in January or wait until the end of the current campaign and walk away for nothing.
And according to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, the 30-year-old is of major interest to the Toffees and the Hammers.
At his stage, Arsenal are thought to be considering all their options over the forward’s future.
Lacazette has been one the club’s most consistent performers since moving to The Emirates in 2017. However, current boss Mikel Arteta is reluctant to play the forward alongside skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in attack.
That has led to the former often being used from the bench, as he was on Monday night when he scored a late equaliser against Crystal Palace.
There have been some calls for Lacazette to replace Aubameyang in the starting line-up, despite the latter also being on target in the Palace draw.
However, that looks highly unlikely while Arteta remains at the helm – meaning a Lacazette exit looks increasingly likely.
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Summer exit failed to materialise
Arsenal did explore the opportunity of trying to sell the former Lyon man last summer. But his lofty wage demands scuppered any potential switch.
Despite those demands, Lacazette is still expected to be a player in demand come January and beyond.
Both Everton and West Ham are in need of a new central striker. The Toffees are continually having to fend off interest in their own attacker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Both Arsenal and Manchester United are keen on the England hitman.
As for David Moyes’ Hammers, they have still not replaced record signing Sebastien Haller. Michail Antonio continues to excel in a central role, but they little cover beyond that.
Italian side Fiorentina have also been linked with Lacazette as they eye a replacement for Premier League target Dusan Vlahovic.
And if Lacazette’s opportunities continue to be limited in the run-up to January, then expect a plethora of clubs to enquire about a bargain deal.
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