November 28, (THEWILL) –Â As his contract with Arsenal draws to a close, Alexandre Lacazette has admitted that his agents are actively examining other options for him. If the Frenchman does not sign an extension before the January window opens, the 30-year-old will be free to consider a free transfer overseas.
The dilemma for him at the Emirates is that while Lacazette is thought to be aiming for a long-term agreement, his age taken into consideration, Arsenal is only interested in offering him a short-term contract.
With the clock winding down, Lacazette admitted to Telefoot that if a deal with Arsenal cannot be reached before the end of the season, he is willing to talk to his agents in January.
“Of course, my agents are starting to look left and right,” he said. “But not until January. I really want to focus myself on something.
“And then we will see what is on offer, if the challenges are interesting, if there are beautiful projects, what role a team sees for me…there are still many questions. I want to wait until January before I really think about things.”
Arteta had emphasised earlier in the week the need of maintaining an open channel of communication with Lacazette and not being worried about what might happen.
The Spanish manager, who has featured Lacazette in recent matches, said: “That’s something we have to deal with – with contracts that they were coming from a few years ago – with certain particularities.
“We knew that was the case. I have already spoken with them individually about how we have to handle those situations the best possible way, and that’s it.
“It’s the situation that we have, whether you are concerned or not. Things have happened in the last few seasons for different players, where those possibilities are there. Sometimes the club has more control and sometimes the player has some more control. The important thing is that communication is clear, and the intentions of both parties – while they are together – are very clear.
“The demands don’t change. Whether you have a six-month or six-year contract you are still employed at the club. You are here because you are willing to be here, and you have to perform at a ten, and there is nothing different with respects to anybody.”
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
