Arsenal are reportedly looking to sell Alexandre Lacazette this summer to fund a move for Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham.
According to the Sun, Arsenal are listening to offers for the France international, who is entering the final year of his contract.
Lacazette has struggled to be a consistent source of goals for Arsenal since his arrival from Lyon in 2017. The 30-year-old has netted just 65 goals in 170 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions and has never managed more than 14 goals in a single league campaign.
As per the Sun, Arsenal have slapped a £15million price tag on Lacazette, with a view to replacing the Frenchman with Tammy Abraham.
Abraham, a boyhood Arsenal fan, has been heavily linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge this summer after being deemed surplus to requirements by manager Thomas Tuchel. The England international dropped down the pecking order at Chelsea following the arrival of Tuchel in January and is looking for a move away in order to secure regular playing time.
Reports indicate the 23-year-old, who has two years left on his current contract, will be available for a fee in the region of £40 million.
Is selling Lacazette a good decision by Arsenal?
Alexandre Lacazette arrived at Arsenal with a reputation as a prolific goal-scorer. However, he has not lived up to expectations. He averages a goal approximately every three games, which is simply not good enough for a striker who cost the North London club £52million.
Considering he has only one year left on his current deal, it would make sense for Arsenal to offload him this summer rather than lose him for free next year.
Tammy Abraham would represent a huge upgrade on Lacazette, if Arsenal manage to secure his services. Abraham has scored 30 goals in 82 appearances in all competitions for the Blues and was the London club’s top scorer the last two seasons.
He will offer a completely different skillset to Lacazette. The England striker is physically strong and great in the air; he won close to two aerial duels per game last season.
He is quick and can find pockets of space in the penalty area from where he can unleash strikes at goal. He is also capable of playing with his back to goal. One similarity to Lacazette is his willingness to press defenders high up the field and win back possession.
At 23, Abraham will only get better over the next few seasons and will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the Arsenal squad.