Arsenal reportedly have “no intention” of offering new contract to striker amid Lyon links

The future of Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has been a major talking point over the past few months with the Frenchman’s contract due to expire this summer.

Several clubs, including Newcastle United, have been linked with a move to snap the player up on a free transfer but it looks like 30-year old’s former club are the ones leading the race.

Ligue 1 side Lyon, who the Gunners signed Lacazette from in 2017, want to bring the French international back to his first club and may have been handed another boost today, according to a report.

90mins are claiming that the North London side have “no intention” of even trying to keep the striker at the Emirates Stadium beyond the summer and it looks like they will be happy to let him leave on a free once his current deal expires.

Here is everything you need to know and what has been said about Alexandre Lacazette leaving Arsenal this summer:

Arsenal have “no intention” of offering Lacazette a new contract

There has been no shortage of clubs reportedly interested in signing Alexandre Lacazette from Arsenal with several Premier League clubs and other elite European sides all being touted as potential destinations for the Frenchman.

It has seemed likely for a while that the striker would be leaving the Emirates when his contract expires in the summer and the latest reports from website 90mins seem to confirm that will be the case.

They claim that “the Gunners have no intention to offer the forward a new contract” as the player looks set for a return to Lyon.

That is despite the players representatives reportedly approaching the North London club.

The article also quotes Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas who said: “We’ll do our best to sign Alexandre Lacazette in June,” while Vincent Ponset (Lyon general manager), added: “It’s Lacazette, he interests us because he marked this club. It is a profile that interests us and we have always been in contact with him.”

Difficult season for Lacazette as goals dry up

Alexandre Lacazette’s overall goalscoring record for Arsenal has been fairly consistent.

The Frenchman has netted 70 goals in 192 appearances across all competitions in his four and a half seasons wit the Gunners.

He broke the 15 goal tally in three of the last four seasons but has only netted five goals in 22 appearances this season with just three of those coming in the Premier League.

Lacazette goal scoring record per season:

• 2017/18 - 17 goal
• 2018/19 - 19 goals
• 2019/20 - 12 goals
• 2020/21 - 17 goals
• 2021/22 - 5 goals (at start of February)

Should he return to Lyon, the French side will be hoping to see the return to form of the same player who scored 129 goals in 275 appearances during his spell at the Groupama Stadium.

For Lacazette personally, he will also be hoping to reignite his career and could have ambitions of a return to the French national side.

The striker has won 16 caps for his nations but has not featured since a friendly win over Wales in November 2017.