Revealed: How Alexandre Lacazette played a key role in €30m Arsenal transfer

Cameron Smith

• 15 Dec 2023 07:28 GMT
• 3 min read

Former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has praised the impact of Alexandre Lacazette during the pair’s time together at the north London club, with his advice helping to mould the American into the player he is today.

Lacazette, 32, left the Gunners last summer, while Balgoun followed suit this year by sealing a €30 million transfer to AS Monaco.

The permanent move away from the Emirates Stadium came after Balogun’s impressive loan spell at Stade Reims last season, in which he netted 22 goals and provided three assists in all competitions.

The United States of America international returned to Arsenal during the summer, but it was evident that he remained behind Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah in the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.

As a result, he sought a permanent departure and eventually joined Monaco amid heavy interest from Italian giants AC Milan.

Although the 22-year-old no longer plays for Arsenal, the Gunners have Lacazette to partially thank for the €30m they received for Balogun.

What has been said?

Ahead of Monaco’s clash against Olympique Lyonnais on Friday, Balogun heaped praise on Lacazette for his help during their time at Arsenal.

“When I was with Arsenal, I spoke with Lacazette a lot,” he revealed, as per The Express. “Of course, I was a young player coming through, so he was in a position where he was giving me advice and helping me.

“We spoke a lot and every time we faced Lyon, it was a nice opportunity to catch up with him and I’m sure it’ll be no different when we play them this Friday.

“He’s a very clinical finisher,” Balogun remarked. “Also, his approach to the game from deep, his link-up play, I’ve looked at that and studied how he always has so much time and space when he comes to feet, so I think I’ve learnt this from him and it is something that I have added to my game."

If Lacazette had not given tips and advice to Balogun during his academy days, then the USMNT star might not have enjoyed such a successful loan spell at Reims, which may have resulted in Arsenal receiving a smaller transfer fee this summer.

Balogun has four goals and three assists in 12 Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco this campaign, while Lacazette has netted six times in the French top flight in 2023-24.