Alexandre Lacazette will reportedly prefer joining Atletico Madrid when he leaves Arsenal as a free agent next summer.
According to a report by Daily Express, as relayed by Mundo Deportivo, Atletico Madrid have been handed a major boost in pursuit of Alexandre Lacazette. The French striker is eager to make his way to the Wanda Metropolitano when he leaves Arsenal as a free agent in next summer’s transfer window.
Alexandre Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon in the summer of 2017 and has since been a valuable member of the first-team setup at the Emirates. The Frenchman might not have been as prolific as he would have liked during his stint with the Gunners, but he has still been a key figure with his all-round work.
To date, Lacazette has featured 178 times for Arsenal, garnering 68 goals and 29 assists along the way. However, the north Londoners are in a precarious situation over the future of the 30-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract. Widespread reports have suggested that Lacazette has no intention of renewing terms with Arsenal, and the situation has alerted Atletico Madrid, among others.
At Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone currently has as many as five options for the strike partnership he tends to use in his system. However, upon closer look, the need to sign a striker becomes clearer.
Luis Suarez is in the twilight of his career, with his situation not being too dissimilar to Lacazette’s at Arsenal as he is set to enter the final six months of his career at the turn of the year. In addition, Mateus Cunha has not had the best of initiations at Atletico Madrid and has coincidentally been linked with Arsenal in recent times.
As for Lacazette, it is clear why Atletico Madrid are keen on signing him, and he is surely a viable target for Los Rojiblancos. And Atletico Madrid have been handed a major boost in pursuit of the French international, who is keen on making his way to the Wanda Metropolitano.
Recent reports have indicated that talks between Lacazette and Atletico Madrid have already begun and for all intents and purposes, a Bosman move to the Spanish club appears to be a formality. So, it remains to be seen if Lacazette indeed joins the Colchoneros when he leaves Arsenal next year or if some other club swoops him away instead.