Liverpool will battle Arsenal for Alexandre Lacazette
If Liverpool have any sympathy regarding Arsenal’s challenge of finding a replacement for Alexis Sanchez this summer they definitely aren’t letting on. Jurgen Klopp’s club are set to battle the Gunners for the services of Lyon hitman Alexandre Lacazette this summer.
Reports from England claim that the higher-ups at Arsenal are growing increasingly convinced that Alexis will leave the club at the conclusion of this season. His sale will bring a great deal of transfer cash to North London, but replacing a superstar like Alexis is never a straightforward proposition.
Arsene Wenger and company have already identified Lacazette as a reasonable replacement for their prolific Chilean star. There’s only one small problem with their plan. Liverpool also have their eyes on the talented French forward.
Klopp sees him as an ideal target to lead the line at Anfield. It’s not hard to see why both clubs are interested in Lacazette’s services. He’s been terrific for Lyon this season. After all, he’s managed an impressive 22 goals in 23 league appearances this season. The back lines in the Premier League are certainly superior to what he sees in Ligue 1, but it’s still an eye-popping goal tally.
Not surprisingly, Lacazette also has a terrific Whoscored.com player rating average on the season. His mark of 7.72 leads his club. Unfortunately for fans of his French club, Lyon are also resigned to losing him this summer.
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That doesn’t mean he’ll come to England on a cheap deal. Lyon are rumoured to be looking for a transfer fee in excess of £60 million from potential buyers. Both Liverpool and Arsenal can afford that type of fee, but it still represents a significant investment from both clubs.
When looking at both Liverpool and Arsenal, you’d have to say the Gunners will need him more if Alexis does end up leaving. Liverpool could stand to upgrade their centre forward options, but Roberto Firmino isn’t going anywhere. Klopp would be trying to take his striker play from good to great.
Assuming Alexis leaves Arsenal, the Gunners will have to find a very talented replacement if they want to avoid a significant drop-off. With all due respect to Olivier Giroud, he isn’t nearly the dynamic presence that Alexis is. Arsenal fans do not want to see veteran French forward lead the line for another full campaign at The Emirates.
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As a result, I’d still handicap Arsenal as the favourites to sign Lacazette this summer. Liverpool will simply make the Gunners pay full market value for the prolific striker.