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Barcelona want to sign Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette in January

Barcelona are keen on landing the signature of Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year, El Nacional claims.

The Blaugrana parted ways with Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann over the summer amid financial concerns. There has since been a drastic drop in quality up front.

Memphis Depay has been the only shining light among summer arrivals. Sergio Aguero’s career has not kicked off, and he is currently out for the long-term with a heart issue.

Meanwhile, Luuk de Jong has failed to make any impression, and there is already speculation that his loan deal from Sevilla could be terminated in the New Year.

Martin Braithwaite impressed in the early weeks of the campaign, but the Denmark international is also on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury in September.

It is now reported that Blaugrana president Joan Laporta will look to address the striker concern in January, and Lacazette is the prime target for the Catalan giants.

Lacazette’s current deal with the Gunners expires next summer. The Blaugrana are willing to meet the €10 million asking price to sign him in the next transfer window.

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Lacazette had a tough beginning to the season as he was often called up from the bench for league games. However, he has recently turned his fortunes around.

The Frenchman bagged a crucial last-gasp equaliser against Crystal Palace and has since become a pivotal figure alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Despite this, it has been reported that he sees his future elsewhere. The striker is firm on his decision and has no plans of renewing talks over a new deal beyond next summer.

The Gunners would ideally want to cash in on his services, but there is uncertainty whether they will do so with potential absentees in January due to the African Cup of Nations.

Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe will be absent for a few weeks in January, and the Gunners may delay any decision until the final phase of the transfer window.

The club have been linked with a move for Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic. There is a high probability that Lacazette could be sold if they bring in a striker of the Serbian’s calibre.

Lacazette could be an ideal fit for the Blaugrana despite entering the back end of his career. He is strong with his hold-up play that the Spanish club have lacked.

He also works tirelessly up front with his regular high pressing. The Blaugrana may need to act fast to sign him with speculation that Atletico Madrid are also interested.

The Spanish champions failed to pursue him from Lyon in 2017 amid a transfer ban. Diego Simeone’s side would be open to signing him for free with a pre-contract deal in January.

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