Arsenal did try to buy Tammy Abraham from Chelsea this summer but their inability to sell Alexandre Lacazette stopped them being able to complete a deal.

Formula 1 2021: British GP SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 18: Alexandre Lacazette during the British GP at Silverstone Circuit on Sunday July 18, 2021 in Northamptonshire, United Kingdom. (Photo by Zak Mauger LAT Images)
Formula 1 2021: British GP SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 18: Alexandre Lacazette during the British GP at Silverstone Circuit on Sunday July 18, 2021 in Northamptonshire, United Kingdom. (Photo by Zak Mauger LAT Images)

Tammy Abraham held off as long as he could, waiting for Arsenal to sign him.

We were his preferred destination and, if reports are to be believed, Arsenal were genuinely interested in trying to land him.

In the end, Abraham signed for Roma on August 17, just three days after Lacazette’s agent denied rumours that he was talking to the Italians on behalf of his client.

Tammy Abraham of AS Roma during the Serie A football match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo at Olimpico stadium in Rome Italy, September 12th, 2021. Photo Antonietta Baldassarre / Insidefoto Antonietta Baldassarre
Tammy Abraham of AS Roma during the Serie A football match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo at Olimpico stadium in Rome Italy, September 12th, 2021. Photo Antonietta Baldassarre / Insidefoto Antonietta Baldassarre

Lacazette has just one year left on his contract and, given the state of global football finances, a move for free next summer will mean he will have more suitors able to match his wage request. It makes sense for him to stay, especially if there was no club appealing to him during the window that has just closed.

It could also explain why Arsenal had so much trouble trying to sell him.

The Frenchman is now 30, so his next move will be his last chance to fulfil any top-level ambitions he might have. Would Roma have helped him achieve any of those? It seems unlikely.

Regardless, Arsenal now find themselves in the position of having to sell Lacazette, if they can, in January, or watching £25.2m-worth of talent walk out the door for nothing next summer. Talent that will need to be replaced.

Arsenal could look internally, of course, but the fact they tried to buy Abraham suggests they aren’t going to.

Abraham currently has one goal and two assists in four games for Roma while Lacazette has one goal in two appearances so far this season.