Three possible destinations for Lacazette

Robin Bairner

• 24 Sept 2021 19:46 BST
• 2 min read

Arsenal attacker Alexandre Lacazette is being hotly linked with a move away from the club after a disappointing spell at the Emirates Stadium.

Lacazette has netted double figures in Premier League goals in each of his four seasons with the Gunners, yet there has been a nagging sense that he could have achieved more.

Now 30 years old, the France international striker is perceived to be a player past his peak. Indeed, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has yet to use him from the start of a Premier League match this season, while the only game time he has seen was a cameo in a 5-0 loss against Manchester City plus two League Cup outings.

With a contract that expires in 2022, the Gunners could offload him in January for a small fee, or he could remain at the club and depart for nothing next summer.

But who might take him?

Barcelona

Perhaps the obvious candidates for a January transfer are Barcelona. The Camp Nou side are in need of an experienced forward player capable of scoring goals, and while Lacazette might not have quite reached the bracket of world-class, there is little doubt that he fits the club’s brand more than Luuk de Jong.

Sergio Aguero, of course, has to return from injury, but given how injury plagued the ex-Manchester City forward has been, Lacazette could be promised plenty of game time on a grand stage.

It could be just the challenge he needs to reignite his career.

West Ham

Having failed to land Jesse Lingard in the summer, West Ham could potentially be in the market for another offensive player to take the burden off Michail Antonio. Lacazette would be an attractive option.

For the Frenchman, it would mean staying put in London, which has obvious advantages to his family, while he would remain at a competitive Premier League club.

Lyon

A return to Lyon has been suggested in the French press. Lacazette was a hero at his hometown club and in his final appearance for OL before making a £50 million move to Arsenal, he reached the mark of 100 Ligue 1 goals.

He would be welcomed back with open arms, though the probability is that such a move would not take place until next summer, at which time Lyon could move either Moussa Dembele or, more probably, Islam Slimani on.