Barcelona have reportedly been told to shell out a sum of €10 million if they intend to sign Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette in the January transfer window.
According to a report from El Nacional, Barcelona have learnt how much it will take for them to get their hands on Arsenal centre-forward Alexandre Lacazette in the January transfer window. The Gunners have slapped a valuation of €10 million on the French hitman.
Lacazette is currently in his fifth season at the Emirates Stadium, having joined Arsenal from Olympique Lyon in the summer of 2017 for a then club-record deal. The 30-year-old has been a regular in the first team and has been a largely consistent performer even though he has had to go through a few dry spells during his time at the club.
Lacazette, to date, has scored 68 goals and created 29 more from 179 appearances for Arsenal. The Frenchman, who was the Premier League club’s top goalscorer for last season, is in the final year of his contract and looks set to be on his way out as talks over a new deal have not been held yet.
Lacazette’s contract situation has piqued the interest of a host of clubs in England and Europe, with Barcelona also emerging as a suitor for the 30-year-old marksman. The Catalans have been forced to dip their toes into the transfer market in January for a new centre-forward due to the injury and fitness issues of some of their current options in the squad.
Martin Braithwaite has been sidelined with a serious injury, while Ansu Fati has also struggled with recurring issues since making his return from a lengthy spell out of action. In addition, summer signing, Sergio Aguero has been diagnosed with a heart condition and will be unavailable for at least the next three months.
With Luuk de Jong likely to be out of favour following the departure of Ronald Koeman, Barcelona are in urgent need of reinforcements in the No. 9 role. This has led to links with several strikers, including Lacazette and his Arsenal teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
With Lacazette set to enter the final six months of his contract, Arsenal have now reportedly decided to cash in on him in January rather than losing him for nothing at the end of the season. To that end, they are now demanding a transfer fee of €10 million for the former Olympique Lyon star, as Barcelona look to make a move.
It now remains to be seen if the Blaugrana are willing to meet that valuation or decide to look elsewhere with Cedric Bakambu of Beijing Guoan set to become available for free in January.
