Alexandre Lacazette ’emerges as target for Monaco’ with Arsenal facing dilemma over whether to cash in on 29-year-old striker who has just over one year left on his Gunners contract
- Alexandre Lacazette is struggling for game time at the moment with Arsenal
- The French forward has started the Gunners’ last four games on the bench
- Lacazette has become a transfer target for Monaco, according to reports
- The 29-year-old will enter the final year of his Gunners contract next season
Monaco are monitoring Alexandre Lacazette‘s situation at Arsenal and could make a move for the French forward this summer, according to reports.
The 29-year-old has recently fallen down the Arsenal pecking and has started the Gunners’ last four matches on the substitutes’ bench, with Mikel Arteta picking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in recent weeks.
Lacazette has one year remaining on his Arsenal deal and could be tempted to cash in on the forward this year or risk losing him on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette has become a transfer target for Monaco, according to reports
The French striker (right) has been left on the bench for Arsenal’s last four games
And according to The Mirror, the striker is a transfer target for Monaco and are prepared to make a move if Lacazette is allowed to quit the Emirates Stadium this summer.
After two seasons away from the upper echelons of the Ligue 1 table, Monaco are now in fourth place with 12 games to go. Last weekend’s 2-0 league victory over PSG leaves them six points off the top with a European place very much in their hands.
Niko Kovac’s men also have former Gunners Vito Mannone and Cesc Fabregas in their first-team squad.
The Frenchman has scored 10 goals in 29 appearances this season for the Gunners, including eight in their Premier League campaign.
Lacazette was Arsenal’s top scorer before the start of this month and has 10 goals in 29 games
However, Lacazette has not started a match for the Gunners since the loss to Aston Villa at the start of February – the third league match in a row that the 29-year-old had failed to find the net.
When Lacazette was dropped by Arteta, he was the top scorer at the club but Gunners captain Aubameyang’s return to form means the Gabon striker now leads the way with 13 strikes.
Aubameyang netted a hat-trick against Leeds before scoring twice in the Europa League last-32 victory over Benfica on Thursday to reduce Lacazette’s chances of returning to the starting fold.
While Lacazette has a year left on his deal, Aubameyang signed a new three-year deal last year worth £250,000-a-week.
Mikel Arteta (left) could be tempted to sell Lacazette (right) who has one-year left on his deal
Lacazette won the FA Cup last term but is struggling to displace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Frenchman was a key man for Arteta at the back end of last season, starting all but two of the Gunners’ league and cup matches after the coronavirus hiatus ended in March.
Lacazette would go on to guide Arsenal to a 14th FA Cup title – his first trophy since arriving in north London for £52million.
The striker’s overall Gunners record stands at 58 goals in 156 games, while the 29-year-old also has 28 Arsenal assists to his name.
