Alexandre Lacazette is reportedly being offered to Inter Milan over a summer move when the Frenchman could be available on a free transfer.
According to InterLive, Alexandre Lacazette has been offered to Serie A giants Inter Milan over a transfer for the next summer. The French forward will be a free agent when the season ends as he runs down his contract at Arsenal.
Arsenal have had no shortage of drama involving strikers in recent weeks after the debacle with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon forward’s stripping of captaincy has led to Alexandre Laczette assuming a more central role on and off the pitch.
In the three league games Aubameyang has missed, Lacazette has stepped up big time to captain the team and lead from the front. In the Frenchman’s presence, the Gunners have recorded three good victories in the Premier League over Southampton, West Ham United and Leeds United, scoring nine goals in the process.
Since Lacazette was not an automatic starter in the early part of the season, many were expecting the striker to leave in the January window or next summer, when his contract at the club expires. Several clubs are lining up for his signature should the Gunners make him available for a transfer next month.
Juventus and Newcastle United were linked with a move for the forward, although considering recent events, Mikel Arteta is unlikely to sanction a move for Lacazette next month. With Arsenal prepared to sign at least one big striker next summer, it’s safe to assume the Frenchman could leave at the end of the season.
And now reports have emerged of a possible move to Inter Milan, with the Frenchman’s agents supposedly offering him to the Nerazzurri. The Italian champions are looking for a striker for next season given Edin Dzeko’s advancing age. They could jump at the chance of signing a player of Lacazette’s quality, especially on a free transfer.
The big concern would be to free up wages in the squad, considering Lacazette will also demand a significant sum and a decent contract. Luckily for Inter, they are preparing to offload Alexis Sanchez, who could be set for an early exit from San Siro despite having a contract until 2023. Inter will clear his €7 million-per-year net salary off their books and could give the Frenchman a significant chunk of that.
While a move to Inter Milan could be a good option for Lacazette, it remains to be seen how Arsenal respond to his recent resurgence in form. Arteta may very well urge the club to offer the forward an extension given the influence the ex-Lyon star has had in recent games.