Atletico Madrid are interested in Alexandre Lacazette and Arsenal are open to a sale, according to a report.

Hibernian v Arsenal - Pre Season Friendly - Easter Road Arsenal s Alexandre Lacazette right and Hiberninan s Alex Gogic battle for the ball during the pre-season match at Easter Road, Edinburgh. Picture date: Tuesday July 13, 2021. Copyright: Ian Rutherford
Hibernian v Arsenal – Pre Season Friendly – Easter Road Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette right and Hiberninan’s Alex Gogic battle for the ball during the pre-season match at Easter Road, Edinburgh. Picture date: Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Copyright: Ian Rutherford

ESPN report that Arsenal are open to a transfer for Alexandre Lacazette, knowing he’s now in the final 12 months of this contract. Atletico Madrid are given as one of the interested parties should Lacazette leave.

Recent reports from Spain suggest that when Atletico Madrid were previously interested in Lacazette, they were quoted a fee of €35m to sign him. But his price is now lower with his contract expiring and the general financial situation.

Chris Wheatley of Football.London had hinted that it was likely Lacazette might simply run down his contract with Arsenal, and I still wouldn’t rule that out.

After all, Arsenal know that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is going to be busy with AFCON during the current campaign. If Lacazette has left as well, that puts a lot of pressure on the younger strikers in behind to fill in for a month or two.

If Arsenal get a serious bid for Lacazette, that allows them to sell and replace, which would be a better option for the long term. But if nobody makes a good offer, letting him leave for pennies would leave Mikel Arteta’s side short come January.