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Familiar name crops up again as Arsenal’s striker search goes on

| 30.06.2016

Having been spurned by Jamie Vardy and linked with a host of other, lesser-known strikers, reports today say Arsenal have turned their attention back to a man they’ve long-been touted as signing – Alexandre Lacazette.

The Lyon forward was one of the most sought-after players heading into the off-season, after netting 21 times for Olympique in Ligue 1 last term.

In the last three seasons, the 25-year-old has scored a whopping 63 goals in just 102 games.

With a contract running until 2019, Arsenal will have to stump up something in the region of £40m, a fee which fellow Londoners West Ham have yet to meet, despite their continued interest.

Should the Hammers continue to make their mind up, Arsene Wenger could sweep in with a late offer, and it’s believed Lacazette would prefer a move to the Emirates if given a choice.

A lack of clinical finishing hindered the Gunners last term, and it seems that this summer is the one where Wenger is now aware of the failings from previous signings.

The futures of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain under scrutiny, and Wenger has already moved to fill the void of departing midfielders Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky by signing Granit Xhaka.

Olivier Giroud netted 16 Premier League goals last season, but a mammoth goal-drought in the middle part of the campaign has left many still questioning his ultimate talent, while Danny Welbeck remains injury-plagued.

Lyon are – understandably – reluctant to sell their prized asset, but should Arsenal table that £40m offer, the French club may find every man has his price.

An out-and-out goalscorer at the Emirates could have seen last season’s Premier League table looking very different, and Lacazette’s arrival would certainly tick that unchecked box in some style.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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Author

Richard Marsh

Richard loves his sport, especially if it involves the sound of tyres screaming around a race track. He's not fussy though and his '90s Premier League nostalgia and knowledge of team nicknames is tough to match.