Arsenal ‘pause’ Lacazette contract talks to focus on top-four finish
Arsenal have stalled their contract negotiations with Alexandre Lacazette to focus on a top-four finish.
Lacazette is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with Lyon, Atletico Madrid and Newcastle United.
Gossip: Chelsea, Spurs battle to sign former Arsenal winger
The Frenchman has been captaining the Gunners since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the armband following a disciplinary breach in December.
Since signing from Lyon in July 2017, Lacazette has contributed to 104 goals in 194 matches for the Premier League club.
Goals have been scarce for the striker this season, however. He has only found the back of the net three times in 18 league encounters in 2021/22.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s match against top-four rivals Wolves, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that the club will sit down with Lacazette at the end of the season.
“There is a chance (Lacazette signs a new deal), but we have decisions to make on three or four players in regards to the summer,” Arteta said (via The Athletic).
“Starting those conversations right now, I don’t think is the right way. We have spoken to all the players, what to expect, the freedom that they have because the contracts allow them to make any decisions, and with our position there.
“That’s what we are going to do. At the end of the season, we will sit down and decide what’s the best for all the parties.”
The striker, who scored 13 goals in Lille’s title-winning campaign last term and has 12 further Ligue 1 strikes to his name this season, has been the subject of transfer speculation for some time.
Calciomercato claim that Lille ‘rejoice’ at the possibility of cashing in on the Canada international this summer.
Newcastle are said to be in talks with the David’s representatives, but the report claims the Gunners are ‘ahead in dicussions’ to sign the former Gent forward.
