Alexandre Lacazette could be Arsenal’s secret weapon in reported £45m Samuel Umtiti pursuit

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Arsenal are reportedly interested in the signature of Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti this summer. 

It was reported by Diario AS last week that Arsenal have made an enquiry about the French World Cup winner.

It is not the first time that Arsenal have been linked with Umtiti. 

Unai Emery was reportedly keen last summer. As reported by the Daily Star, Umtiti was Emery’s first-choice centre-back target for Arsenal last summer. His valuation, according to The Sun, was said to be £45 million. 

Indeed, even a current Arsenal player even asked Umtiti to make the move. 

Appearing on Canal Football Club, Alexander Lacazette jokingly offered Umtiti a place in his house should he decide to switch Barcelona for Arsenal last summer. He even stated that Umtiti could live with the dog and that ‘everything is ready’ should Umtiti join him in North London.

Umtiti laughed off the rumours at the time and insisted he was happy at Barcelona. 

But Lacazette could be a big draw for the Frenchman should Arsenal make a move. 

The pair came through the Lyon youth academy and ended up in the same first-team with Les Gones. 

Their friendship remains very strong to this day and, last summer, the pair holidayed together in Miami. 

Of course, having Lacazette as a potential secret weapon in the pursuit of Umtiti would also depend on the French striker remaining at Arsenal. 

There have been rumours suggesting he could also be on the move this summer. But if Arsenal could keep Lacazette at The Emirates, he would undoubtedly be a big help in any pursuit of the World Cup winner.