Alex Iwobi is a reported target for Lazio as there could be suggestions he is no longer a part of Unai Emery’s plans for next season.
After a tremendous summer so far, where the recruitment is almost done at Arsenal, its time for more departures at the club and this time it’s Alex Iwobi who is in the spotlight. According to Il Messaggero, Lazio are very much interested in bringing the Nigerian to the club and replace departed Brazilian star, Felipe Anderson.
The report also suggests that Arsenal have set a £22 million price tag on Iwobi, who still has two years left on his current deal at Arsenal. It is all reported to be Unai Emery’s plan for the season as he continues to balance out his squad.
With Arsenal already having made necessary movements in the transfer window, signing five players in different positions already, and Unai Emery is now believed to be ready to let go of some players including the likes of Jack Wilshere who joined West Ham and Santi Cazorla to balance his squad out, and Alex Iwobi is reportedly one of them.
The former PSG boss does not fancy Iwobi and could be ready to sanction a deal if any club are willing to pay Arsenal’s asking price of £22 million. Lazio are the club said to be keen on making a deal happen for the 22-year-old, especially having recently sold their star man Felipe Anderson to West Ham United for £36 million.
The report suggests that the Italians could be ready to pay the asking price for the Nigerian, and considering him an option to replace Anderson. Iwobi’s versatility and ability to play on both sides of attack have impressed Lazio enough to consider moving for the Arsenal, academy graduate.
Iwobi broke through the Gunners’ ranks under former manager Arsene Wenger, having graduated from their academy. Since his breakthrough, he has played two full seasons with the Gunners. Iwobi made 26 Premier League appearances for Arsenal in the 2017-18 campaign, scoring three and assisting five through the season.
Iwobi’s importance in the team is somewhat mixed bag, as his inconsistency has played a bigger role in determining is place. The same factor went alongside him at the World Cup, where Iwobi, despite playing all three games for Nigeria, failed to impress anyone with his performances
This transfer should be apparent in the coming days, and will most likely depend on Iwobi and how he views his Arsenal future under Emery. On the other hand, there is the factor of Iwobi having grown up in London and played only for Arsenal till date, meaning he may not be all enthused about moving to Rome out of the blue.
Arsenal are currently on their pre-season tour to Singapore, and in the coming days, the situation could get much clearer concerning Iwobi and his future at the club. Iwobi is also one of those wing players Arsenal currently does not possess so it would be an interesting take from Emery if he is to let go of the Nigerian to Lazio or somewhere else.
