Arsenal: Lacazette latest; Interest in ‘next Neymar’, Napoli striker alerts Gunners

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We all know that Arsene Wenger is not one to give away his transfer dealings, so when he responds to any question about targets, outgoings or deals in process with that sly grin, you can tell he is working on something behind the scenes.  Could the latest example be a deal for Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette?

West Ham’s £31 million bid for the Frenchman was rebuffed last month by his club, as they value their top scorer at around £40 million.  There is no question that Arsenal have the money to offer, and top level football to lure him from France. The only debate is whether they are willing to go all out and oblige with the asking price.

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As we previously said, Arsenal seem to be involving themselves in the race for Lacazette after their bid to sign Jamie Vardy broke-down.  Wenger has not denied interest, but didn’t confirm it as he does, always keeping his business to himself.

“If I say I like the player, it starts speculation”, said Wenger, who is clearly in the hunt for a striker and Lacazette’s record across the Channel is the reason why they’d be chasing his services.

As a player who missed out on the France squad this summer, with Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud pipping him there, perhaps there is the question whether Lacazette truly is all that he is hyped up to be. In four fewer games than Arsenal’s current centre forward, Lacazette scored 21 league goals to Giroud’s 16, but the Gunners’ number 12 claimed more assists, by a margin of six to three.  Giroud was also more dominant in the aerial battles, whilst Lacazette completed more take-ons.

What this shows is that Lyon’s poacher presents a very good alternative to Giroud for Arsenal, with both having their assets.  If they were to possess both strikers in their armoury, they can make a serious challenge for the title, as long as Lacazette can replicate his Ligue 1 record in England, unlike Gervinho!

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Elsewhere, Arsenal have been linked with Neymar’s Brazilian protégé, Gabriel Barbosa. The 19-year old is attracting attention, notably from Real Madrid and Barcelona, but Arsenal are keeping an eye on the youngster set to light up the Rio Olympics this summer for Brazil.  ESPN Brazil report Arsenal have turned to Barbosa as an alternative option for their attack, but it’s not the only offer he has.

Hebei China have offered a lucrative deal to the teenager, but it is claimed that he prefers the challenge in Europe.  He has bagged over 50 goals for Santos since his break-through in 2013 and offers a skilful, flamboyant style to Arsenal’s forward line. Now we must wait and see if the Gunners are willing to activate Gabriel’s £40 million release clause.

Arsenal’s hunt for a new striker seems never-ending, and one who they have tried and failed to capture before is on their radar once more.  Gonzalo Higuain ended a record-breaking campaign in Italy as runner-up in Serie A with Napoli, before once again finishing second in the Copa America to Alexis Sanchez’s Chile. However, it seems as though he is not satisfied in Naples, with reports he won’t be renewing his contract.

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This has alerted the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, with his current deal not expiring till 2018.  Yet, with this news, Napoli may want to cash-in – while they are still able to – on a striker who equaled Gino Rossetti’s 87-year-old record for goals in a single Serie A campaign. The Argentine netted 36 goals, 20 more than Arsenal’s top league scorer in Olivier Giroud. It is evident that the North London outfit need a striker of a higher standard, and Higuain can fit the bill.

He has received bad press for spurning moments on the biggest stage, such as the World Cup final in 2014 and both Copa America finals in 2015 and 16.
Nevertheless, his overall quality is not in question, with his tally in Italy and his average of near 30 goals in his last five campaigns in all competitions as sufficient testimony.  Higuain’s buy-out clause is a staggering £72 million, but if he proves the difference in Arsenal’s chase of the Premier League, it will be worth the punt.

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