Billy Johnson, a Tribuna user, asked: "I'm wondering more about Lacazette, what do we do about him? He's 29 or 30 this year and in my opinion, he's not a striker if we're to return to the top-4."
What we know about Alex's situation
Contract length, current market value and career so far
Alex Lacazette joined Arsenal in 2017 for a fee of £46.5 m. The Frenchman signed a 5-year deal with the Gunners, which means that in the summer he'll have just 1 year left on it.
According to Transfermarkt, his current market value stands at £31.5m.
The striker has scored 59 goals (also bagged 28 assists) in 159 appearances across all competitions since joining us.
In the Premier League, his maiden campaign has been the most productive so far with him scoring 14 goals. Since then, his tally has never dropped below 10 in the competition.
This term, with 11 more games to play, he's just 1 goal away from reaching double figures in that respect.
Arteta words on Lacazette's future at Arsenal
Back in January, Mikel Arteta said: “We will talk in the summer and make a decision on what is going to happen.
“We haven’t talked about anything relating to his contract. I’m delighted with the way he is performing, the goals he is scoring and the form and energy he is in at the moment. He needs to keep doing that.”
Most recently, the boss said: "He's got a contract with us. He played really well the other week. It's exactly what we demand him to do. I'm really happy with him and the discussions about his contract will happen soon and we will see what happens.
"I'm hoping that a player under contract will continue with us. Every case is different and we're going to assess that and we'll make a decision in relation to that."
Lacazette's stance on his future
In September last year, he said: "I am at Arsenal, I signed a 5-year contract to progress & win titles. I have another 2 years. I am determined to stay.
When further pressed if it is definitive, he replied. "On my part, yes."
What the media say about Laca
Fabrizio Romano, one of the most reliable sources of transfer news, said: "This is an interesting situation because last summer he had an opportunity with Atletico Madrid, he was one of the options, but they decided to sign different players.
"For sure the situation of his contract is like 'Ok, we either extend the contract in the summer, or the player is leaving.' Just because they can’t have the risk of him going for free.
"Let’s see also the situation of Italian clubs, because Lacazette was appreciated with Juventus, but they are happy with Morata."
According to the Transfer Window Podcast, Odsonne Edouard is considered as Alex's replacement.
3 possible scenarios for Lacazette
Arsenal cash in on him
Probability: 75%
The manager doesn't sound certain about Laca's future. In a similar situation with Aubameyang, the club started the contract talks well ahead of the summer transfer window. It doesn't speak in favour of Laca's chances to stay at Arsenal.
Another factor is that Arteta prefers a 4-2-3-1 system with a sole striker upfront. The manager has been trying to accommodate the two by shifting Auba to the left but it leaves most of our wingers uninvolved.
As the Gabonese remains his first-choice option in the centre-forward position, Lacazette's playing time will be significantly reduced.
Arsenal offer Laca a new contract
Probability: 20%
The striker will turn 30 in May, which means that if he signs a new deal he'll be 33 or 34 depending on the length of it.
Will Arsenal risk investing in another ageing player whose output is likely to decline with every next season, especially after getting Willian on the books? Doubtfully.
Arsenal allow Laca to run down his contract and leave for free in a year
Probability: 5%
Over the last 3 years, Arsenal have wasted over £200m in transfer sales. Arsenal didn't get a single penny by offloading the likes of Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis and Henrikh Mkhitaryan or even had to pay some of them off.
Aaron Ramsey is another example of poor contract management from the club as he left on a free transfer. Letting Lacazette leave for free will show that nothing has changed on that front at Arsenal.
We believe it can only be possible if no offer arrives in the summer as the clubs across Europe are suffering from the ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic.
