Arsenal reduce asking price for Alexandre Lacazette | OneFootball

Arsenal have reportedly lowered their asking price for Alexandre Lacazette, pricking Atletico Madrid’s interest once again.

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)

Alexandre Lacazette is out of contract next summer and it had looked like Arsenal would let him leave for free but rumours about a summer departure are starting to heat up, with Atletico Madrid back in the frame.

According to a report from Spain, Atletico Madrid ‘could’ revive their interest in a player who has been a long-term target for them. They want to increase their attacking options but are apparently working with a reduced budget. How handy for them, then, that Arsenal have reportedly reduced Lacazette’s asking price.

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)

The Spanish report goes on to add that Atletico Madrid had been quoted €35m for Lacazette previously, but that his price is now lower. They do not say what it has been lowered too.

As mentioned, Atletico Madrid have been long-time admirers of Alexandre Lacazette and, had they not been under a transfer ban when he finally left Lyon, there’s every chance the forward would have went to play for Diego Simeone rather that Arsene Wenger.

Their reported interest has waxed and waned since but it has never truly vanished and, with the window open, here we are again.

Last July, Mikel Arteta said, “We have to have a chat about the next step with him and get his ideas and his feelings.

“As I said, I am really happy with him.

“He’s a player that I’ve always liked, even when I wasn’t here, because of what he brings to the team: his qualities, his ability, his work rate. So let’s see. Now we are in a crucial moment.

“It’s no time to talk about a lot of contract situations. We still have time and we will do it in the right moment.”

Speaking back in January, Arteta also said about Lacazette’s contract situation, “We will talk in the summer and make a decision then. We have not talked [now] about anything related to his contract.

“I am delighted with the way he has performed because he is scoring, has the form and energy at the moment, so he needs to keep doing that.”

Last season, Lacazette started five of 12 Europa League games, 22 league games from 36 squad inclusions, and one EFL Cup match, but he played the full 90 minutes just nine times.

He finished the season with 17 goals and three assists in 43 games, averaging 57 minutes per game, down from his Arsenal average of 65. At Lyon, Lacazette averaged 73.5 minutes per game.

The 30-year-old’s value on Transfermarkt is listed as £25.2m (€29.6m).