Mikel Arteta has suggested the key contract issue to resolve with Alexandre Lacazette is the length of a potential new deal.

WATFORD, ENGLAND: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal reacts following their side's victory after the Premier League match between Watford and Arsenal at Vicarage Road on March 06, 2022. (Photo by Julian Finney / Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal reacts following their side’s victory after the Premier League match between Watford and Arsenal at Vicarage Road on March 06, 2022. (Photo by Julian Finney / Getty Images)

Speaking earlier this week, Mikel Arteta suggested that Alexandre Lacazette has a positive part to play in the current Arsenal side, but they still need to resolve the “contractual timing” of a new deal.

“I think with Alex it’s very clear what he brings to the team,” Arteta said.

“He’s shown it consistently since I’ve been here, and what we have to resolve is the contractual timing, in the best possible way, and when we all align on the same page.”

By this, Arteta is presumably referring to the length of the new contract, with Arsenal presumably keen to hand Lacazette short-term extensions during this transitional period whilst the striker himself probably wants longer-term security.

Arteta previously confirmed that Arsenal have agreed to discuss Alexandre Lacazette’s contract situation with the striker in the summer.

“We agreed to do it in the summer,” Arteta said. “We are going to do it as soon as the season is finished.”

As things stand, Lacazette is set to be a free agent in June. Spanish outlet Sport report that he’s one of Atletico Madrid’s options to replace Luis Suarez this summer, with the Uruguayan striker’s deal also up in June.

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (L) and Arsenal's German-born Portuguese defender Cedric Soares (C)congratulate goalscorer Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 13, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard (L) and Cedric Soares (C) congratulate Alexandre Lacazette during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 13, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Arteta admits the future is still uncertain for the striker, adding that Lacazette is at least acting like someone who wants to stick around.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the season,” Arteta said.

“We don’t have contracts that run for 20 years, it’s part of our job. He behaves like someone who wants to stay with us.”

As well as Atletico, Barcelona have been linked with Lacazette, and Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas recently told the media they intend to make a move this summer.

“We’ll do our best to sign Alexandre Lacazette in June,” Aulas said.

Lyon director Vincent Ponsot added: “We’ve seen the maturity that he’s acquired. We’ve always remained in contact with him. But bringing in big players is always complicated.”