Alexandre Lacazette could be West Ham’s best signing since Tomas Soucek | OneFootball

West Ham have been linked with a shock move for Alexandre Lacazette this week…

What’s the word?

According to French publication Jeunes Footeux, the 30-year-old striker isn’t going to extend his contract with Arsenal, meaning he will become a free agent in the summer.

As a result, he could even be sold during the January transfer window, with the north London outfit keen to see some return on their investment.

Would you like West Ham to sign Lacazette?

Yes please!

Vote

No thanks!

Vote

It’s thought that the Irons are closely monitoring his situation, along with Premier League rivals Everton, so the Frenchman wouldn’t be short of suitors in England.

He is currently valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt and is reportedly on wages in the region of £182k-per-week at the Emirates Stadium.

Best since Soucek?

From a pure name standpoint alone, Lacazette would be one of the Hammers’ biggest signings of recent times, though as we’ve seen with the likes of Felipe Anderson and Sebastien Haller, that counts for very little.

However, with the Gunners star out of contract at the end of the season, this move represents a very low-risk one as he won’t cost GSB a penny in terms of transfer fees.

Furthermore, his qualities in the Premier League are already proven – as recently as Monday, he bagged a crucial equaliser to extend their unbeaten run to six matches.

As per Transfermarkt, the 16-cap international has scored 68 times in 175 appearances for the north London giants, of which 51 goals have come from 131 top-flight appearances, whilst he has also provided 29 assists.

Lacazette has averaged a goal or assist every 116 minutes across the course of his Arsenal career, ever since joining in a £52.7m move from Lyon in summer 2017.

That’s a very respectable record for someone that hasn’t started week-in, week-out, thanks to his frontline partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

1 of 10

Can you name all 10 ex-Hammers? First up... He assisted the first goal at the London Stadium but made only 8 appearances for the Irons, who is he?

Havard Nordtveit Gokhan Tore Pedro Obiang Jonathan Calleri

He has also been dubbed a “goal machine” by former teammate Sokratis, whilst he has previously been likened to former Hammers man Ian Wright by the late Gerard Houllier.

“He scores more than 25 goals every season. One thing he will bring to Arsenal is goals,” the ex-Liverpool and Lyon boss told talkSPORT. “He is a bit like Ian Wright, really. You don’t seem to see him and then suddenly he moves.”

This calibre of signing could really elevate the east London outfit onto a new level, particularly after qualifying for the Europa League last term.

The arrival of Lacazette could be their best signing since Tomas Soucek, the unknown Czech beast who’s already become a fan-favourite and one that cost merely €21m (£18m).

David Moyes’ new head of recruitment Rob Newman must push ahead with plans to secure the Premier League veteran. On the above evidence, it would be a very smart and astute signing to make.