Juventus ‘begin talks with Arsenal and striker Alexandre Lacazette’s representatives’ to take French striker away from north London this summer
- Alexandre Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon in 2017 in a £52million deal
- Lacazette’s form has dipped this season and he has struggled to score away
- Juventus are looking to freshen up an ageing attack including Cristiano Ronaldo
- The Frenchman’s contract at Emirates Stadium runs until the summer of 2022
Juventus have begun talks with Arsenal and Alexandre Lacazette’s representatives over a summer move for the striker, according to reports in France.
The French forward joined the Gunners from Lyon three years ago for what was then a club-record £52million deal.
The 29-year-old’s form has dipped markedly this season and he went over a year without scoring a Premier League away goal away before netting the second in Arsenal’s recent win over Wolves.
Juventus have begun talks with Arsenal over a summer move for striker Alexandre Lacazette
The Frenchman joined the Gunners from Lyon three years ago for a then club-record £52m
But French outlet Le10Sport claim Serie A champions Juventus have been in contact with the north London side and the striker’s representatives for several days and insist initial negotiations have taken place.
The report adds that Juventus are aware that Arsenal may not easily free up Lacazette to join them given that he has a contract at Emirates Stadium until 2022, but are hopeful a new challenge would tempt him in moving to Italy.
LaLiga outfit Atletico Madrid have also been heavily linked with a move for Lacazette in recent months.
His form has dipped this season and he only ended a barren goal away run earlier this month
Juventus are targeting him to freshen up an ageing forward line including Cristiano Ronaldo
But Italian outfit Juventus are expected to shake up their squad once the transfer window opens, despite being on the brink of wrapping up yet another Serie A title.
An ageing forward line including Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain will need strengthening to support the continued excellence of Paulo Dybala, and Lacazette has been identified as a suitable candidate.
But Gunners boss Mikel Arteta showered the Frenchman – who has also netted against Tottenham and Liverpool in recent games – with praise ahead of their FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday evening.
‘I really like Alex, I said that before I even joined here. He’s the type of striker that I really like,’ Arteta said.
Lacazette has since gone on to score goals against Spurs and Liverpool after netting at Wolves
‘I think he has periods where he was very unlucky because he was having the chances and not converting which he is not used to.
‘But the way he can link play, he’s a massive competitor, he hates to lose, he goes for every ball.
‘You see in every challenge how he’s ready to go, how hard he works and he’s a very intelligent player. I am really happy with him.’
Asked whether Lacazette is player he doesn’t want to lose, Arteta responded: ‘Why would I want to lose a player like him?! I am really happy with him.’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insisted he does not want to sell the French forward this summer
