Mikel Arteta says Alex Lacazette could yet extend his stay at Arsenal but contract negotiations will not take place until the end of the season.
The Gunners have broached the subject of a new contract on several occasions since he moved to Emirates Stadium in 2017 but little ground has been made.
The Frenchman is now within touching distance of becoming a free agent – his current five-year deal ends in June – and is already able to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign suitors should he choose. His former club Lyon have already expressed an interest in a reunion.
Lacazette isn’t the only first team member out of contract in the summer; Eddie Nketiah and Mo Elneny are in the same boat.
“There is a chance (Lacazette signs a new deal), but we have decisions to make on three or four players in regards to the summer,” said Arteta when quizzed on the status of his captain.
“Starting those conversations right now, I don’t think is the right way. We have spoken to all the players, what to expect, the freedom that they have because the contracts allow them to make any decisions, and with our position there.
“That’s what we are going to do. At the end of the season, we will sit down and decide what’s the best for all the parties.”
Having just appointed Lacazette as club captain, you can understand why Arteta might want to keep the player’s experience while he scouts the transfer market for a long-term solution.
Whether a short-term deal appeals to Lacazette remains to be seen, even with the prospect of Champions League football it could be a hard sell for a player who will naturally want the security of a long contract as he enters his twilight years.
Thanks for the service Laca, time to refresh in the summer
He’s always been professional and I hope he gets a good move somewhere but I think all parties would benefit from a change
If we make top 4, then give him another 2 years. Anything else then thanks for your service Laca but on your way
I doubt he’d accept it, but I’d like us to offer him a one year extension. Would be great to have as a back-up option, especially if we’re bringing in a young striker who isn’t used to the PL and will need to adjust and likely go through dry spells. I don’t see us having the money to buy two quality forwards and one quality CM (at least), plus a couple of more squad players. Laca also appears to be playing an important role in the dynamic of the team.
But please don’t give him two years. Please…
He should be moved on whatever the outcome.
He’s finished.
Simple as that.
If we make top four we invest in world class striker.
This guy can’t keep up with players from Norwich – what on Earth makes you think he’ll be good enough to compete against PSG and Real Madrid….?
I wouldn’t go past two years, keep him hungry. Even if we upgrade at striker, Laca could be a good secondary option.
Won’t be too gutted if he goes assuming we sign a couple of replacements.
I’d like to keep him as the backup option next season, but that creates its own problems.
I.E captaincy and wage hike.
Not every new contract means a wage hike. If he wants a higher wage, it would be a bit delusional, but if he gets it elsewhere, he should go there and take it. I would keep him for the right conditions. If the conditions are not right for the club, I wouldn’t panic if he goes.
Elneny is the only one that may stay of the three, but I expect them all to go.
Should have let Eddie go in January for a nominal fee with a sell on clause
While he has struggled in front of the goal, he has been doing a good job as the captain. Wheather he is replaced with a new first choice or he leaves the club, we need someone to step up to that role.
Another year would be fantastic for us. We’re planning to go big on a striker this summer but after losing Auba + Laca we’d still need somebody else for back-up/competition. I don’t think Balogun is ready for that role. With him being a free agent it would be quite expensive, probably at least his current wages plus 5+ million signing-on fee. He could probably get a 3-4 year contract at Lyon with decent wages, if he signs a year later he’d probably command lower wages so we have to make it worthwhile for him. I still think it would be… Read more »
If he would extend 1 year I would definitely do it (doubt he would). He is still a very good player and indeed a very nice 2. choice striker.
2 years? Hmm.. Hard to know
If he goes, we’ll need to sign 2 strikers – unless we really believe that Martinelli or Balogun can be the back up centre forward next season. To save us from having to make 2 signings for the same position in one summer, or putting too much weight on the new signing’s shoulders, it would be ideal if we could keep Laca for one more year to be backup – he’s also usually a lot sharper when he rotates in and out of the team. The problem is at 30 he’ll probably want a 3 year contract, and maybe a… Read more »
I guess it all depends on what alternative business in the striking dept that Edu can do and that will almost certainly depend on where we finish?
I reckon that Laca wants to stay, he’s certainly showed that much on the pitch but the length of any contract is going to be problematic. Maybe one year with an option for another year, but as mentioned above he’ll be wanting more than that.
He should go in the summer. Offering Laca a new contract would be a sign of a complete lack of ambition.
We need a 25-goal-a-season striker: Laca was never that player. Laca deserves respect for his professionalism and his application this season, but he just isn’t good enough for a team with serious ambitions.
Laca and Nketia should both disappear this summer and three quality forwards should come in.
But don’t count on this happening.
3 quality forwards might work in football manager….in the real world, I’m not so sure
If Auba’s decision had some tactical basis then Laca’s performance should be evaluated before offer. I just think it’s time to thank Laca and wish him all the best because he showed his limit already in the last few years. He is not enough for a starter for Europa/Champions league team
I would not mind him staying after this year. But I think that Arsenal needs to bring in new forwards and that Laca would be best used as a backup. My guess is that he would not accept the drop in pay that would go with that role though. And if he does stay, I would hope that Arsenal would be smart enough not to offer him a huge contract.