Arsenal intend to knock back offers for Alexandre Lacazette in the January transfer window, though his expiring deal makes the situation tricky.

ESPN report that Arsenal will look to resist January offers for Alexandre Lacazette, due to his growing importance to Mikel Arteta’s side.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the team and potentially on his way out of the club, Lacazette’s situation has suddenly been brought into sharper focus.

On top of that, Arsenal’s form has really picked up with Lacazette involved. He seems to be playing his role as a facilitator for the young players around him well. Now is not the time to sell.

On the other side of things, Lacazette only has six months left on his deal, so that makes things complicated. Arsenal are essentially resigning themselves to losing the striker for free, barring a late contract turnaround.

Foreign clubs will be able to speak with Lacazette freely from January 1st, which is going to be distracting at best.

At worst, one of those clubs might be able to convince Lacazette he’s better off leaving immediately and get him to push Arsenal to let him go next month.

Without Aubameyang, with Folarin Balogun going on loan, and with Eddie Nketiah potentially on for a move, Arsenal just can’t afford to let Lacazette leave yet.

The striker may be gone by summer, but it seems the club have made up their minds in the short term.