Barcelona are reportedly keeping tabs on Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette ahead of the January transfer window.
Xavi Hernandez has returned to Barcelona after managing Qatari club Al-Sadd for two years, replacing the sacked Ronald Koeman. The Spaniard, 41, was officially presented as the new Barcelona head coach at Camp Nou last Monday, as he faces a difficult job with the Catalan club struggling in ninth place in La Liga.
According to Catalan outlet El Nacional, Barcelona have been told to shell out €10 million if they aim to sign Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette during the winter transfer window. The report adds Barcelona president Joan Laporta is willing to splash the aforementioned sum to sign the French striker, as new coach Xavi looks for mid-season reinforcements to steady the ship.
Lacazette, 30, is out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season and can open talks to sign a pre-contract deal with a non-British club from January 1st onwards. The Frenchman, who was the north London club’s top goalscorer for last term, looks set to be on his way out of the Emirates Stadium as talks over a contract extension haven’t been held so far.
Alexandre Lacazette to Barcelona—Should the Catalans make a move?
Barcelona have been forced to make plans with regards to signing a centre-forward in the January transfer market due to injury problems and lack of productivity from their current options in the squad.
Sergio Aguero’s life at Camp Nou has been hampered by injuries and he has since been ruled out for at least three months due to health issues. The La Liga giants signed Luuk de Jong on a season-long loan from Sevilla on the summer’s transfer deadline day but new head coach Xavi Hernandez has already decided to let the towering Dutch centre-forward leave in the upcoming transfer window.
In addition, Barcelona are set to be without whizz-kid Ansu Fati for 4-6 weeks after the teenager suffered a hamstring injury during the 3-3 draw with Celta Vigo last weekend, and with Martin Braithwaite sidelined with a serious injury, the club desperately needs reinforcements in the no.9 role.
To that end, Alexandre Lacazette would be a smart fit at Camp Nou. Lacazette is a good finisher in and around the box, works really hard off the ball and has the engine to press consistently throughout a game. The France international can drop deep and link up with his teammates, use his stout physique and strength to shield the ball whilst having a decent turn of pace to make an impact in the final third.
Despite being 30, the ex-Lyon star has a lot to offer, and it’s beyond any doubt that he’ll vastly improve Barcelona’s attack in various aspects while being a solid back-up for Memphis Depay, who has been the club’s chief source of goals this season.
The ongoing financial issues at Camp Nou mean the Spanish club cannot afford a high-profile purchase in January, which makes the signing of €10 million-rated Lacazette viable for Xavi and co.