Arsenal are looking to offload misfiring Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette this summer and AS Roma have emerged as a possible destination.
According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, new Roma manager Jose Mourinho has earmarked Lacazette as a possible replacement for Edin Dzeko, who is set to depart for Inter Milan.
But the report states Lacazette is not keen on a move to Roma due to their lack of Champions League football this season.
Lacazette arrived at Arsenal from Lyon for £52 million in 2017 with a reputation for being a lethal finisher. However, he has struggled to provide a consistent supply of goals for the north London club in the past couple of seasons.
The 30-year-old has netted just 65 times in 170 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, averaging a goal approximately every three games. Moreover, he has never managed more than 14 goals in a single top-flight campaign in England.
Roma have made an enquiry for Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette but relations between the clubs are at an all-time low and things don't look positive on that front, report La Gazzetta dello Sport.https://t.co/uVhpPzzLPv
— Get Italian Football News (@_GIFN) August 8, 2021
Arsenal have grown frustrated at his inability to find the back of the net on a regular basis and are hoping to sell him this summer before his value further reduces. The Gunners reportedly value Lacazette, who has just one year left on his contract, at around £20 million.
Is selling Alexandre Lacazette a wise move by Arsenal?
Lacazette has shown over the last few seasons that he simply does not have the ability to score 20+ goals a season in the Premier League, which is what a team like Arsenal need if they are to challenge for a top-four spot.
Moreover, the Frenchman is in the final year of his contract and Arsenal run the risk of losing him for free if they cannot sell him this summer.
A move to a less competitive league might also help the Frenchman rediscover the form that made him such a hot property in the first place.
Lacazette has a solid work ethic and can link up well with his teammates, potentially making him a good fit at Roma under Mourinho.
Arsenal, meanwhile, need to raise funds in order to step up their interest in some of their top targets. Lacazette still has some value in the transfer market, so Arsenal will want to recoup as much as possible.
The Gunners have been linked with the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Dusan Vlahovic and Tammy Abraham, all of whom would be massive upgrades on the Frenchman as well as long-term additions to the club.