Arsenal could have an interesting decision to make after a Spanish report claimed Real Madrid will look to offer one of their strikers in a swap deal for Alexandre Lacazette.
The Gunners appear to be moving in the right direction under Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard took over the managerial reins in December, and delivered the club’s 14th FA Cup a fortnight ago.
Despite the cup success, however, questions remain over the Gunners’ league form.
Eighth place was their lowest top flight finish since 1995, and Arteta could remedy their issues via the transfer market.
Transfer funds are expected to be restricted once again, however, meaning Arteta may have to get creative.
One route regards swap or cash-plus-player deals, with Lucas Torreira’s exit speculated in one such scenario here.
A rather more high profile departure could come via this form for Lacazette, however.
CaughtOffside (who cite Spanish publication DonBalon) state Los Blancos are eyeing a move for the Frenchman.
Lacazette is deemed to be a player in the same mould as Karim Benzema, and could provide seamless back-up in the position.
Serbian Luka Jovic is touted as the man that could move in the opposite direction, despite the 22-year-old only arriving in Madrid last summer.
Jovic has thus far struggled to replicate the form he showed with Eintracht Frankfurt, but his availability could be enticing.
Lacazette has often had to settle for a role from the bench under Arteta. And at seven years his junior, Jovic would represent an option for the long-term.
Ozil interview opens old wounds
Mesut Ozil says he refused to follow suit at at Arsenal with a pay cut because it was unfair, adding that he is tired of critics trying to “destroy” him for his decision.
The majority of Arsenal’s players and staff agreed to lower their pay in April as part of coronavirus cost-cutting measures.
The club cut salaries by 12.5 per cent, reduced to 7.5 per cent when Arsenal won the FA Cup earlier this month. What’s more, club executives agreed to cut a third of their pay packets.
However, the Gunners’ top earner Ozil did not take part. The decision led to an angry reaction from many, who cited the fact that the midfielder earns £350,000 per week.
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