Arsenal round-up: Lacazette transfer moving closer; Sanchez hints at departure; German set to stay

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Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette after increasing their bid for the Frenchman. The Telegraph report that the two clubs are now only £3.5 million apart in their valuations, with the current offer on the table being £44 million plus significant add-ons. Sources close to the deal are confident that it will be concluded successfully, which would mark the Gunners’ second summer signing. The report goes on to state that the North London side have little chance of signing either Thomas Lemar or Kylian Mbappe.

If this is to be believed, then it would be a great start to the summer transfer window and give Arsenal momentum to take into July. A signing such as Lacazette will show that the Gunners can still attract top players and it could lead to other notable signings this summer. The Frenchman is regarded as one of the best strikers in Europe and it will be interesting to see if he can reproduce his goal-scoring form in England.

Alexis Sanchez has dropped a clear hint that he wants to quit Arsenal, but he fears that his current club won’t let him join Manchester City. The Mirror report that City are the only club that remain in the race to sign the Chilean after Bayern Munich dropped out due to the financial demands of the deal, both in transfer fee and wages. However, the Gunners don’t want to sell him to a Premier League rival. When asked about his future, Sanchez said:

“Yes it’s clear but I can’t tell you. Right now I’m focused on the Confederations Cup. When this is finished I will see if I stay or if I go. I don’t know.”

This suggests that he already knows what he wants to happen, but it is understandable that he is keeping his cards close to his chest. It has been thought for a number of months that the forward would seek a move away and it seems unlikely that he will agree to a new contract. Arsenal could keep him for his final year, but it would mean that they would lose him for nothing next summer. Given his value, that would be a reckless business decision.

However, there is better news when it comes to Mesut Ozil as he has dropped a huge hint over his Arsenal future. The Sun report that he has renewed his executive box with the club and suggest that this means he will be staying with the club. His representatives had expected lots of interest in the playmaker, but there hasn’t been a single serious proposal that appeals to them. This could even lead to a new contract for the German international.

Although he didn’t have his best season in an Arsenal shirt last year, Ozil remains a very talented player and it would be a boost to keep him at the club. There are few players in the Premier League that have an eye for a pass like he does and if he is given a sustained run in the team, he can once again return to a world class level.

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