Arsenal are ‘unwilling’ to hand Alexandre Lacazette a long-term contract, but a short-term extension has not been ruled out for the forward.
Lacazette is out of contract at the end of the season and will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign sides from January, his future remaining uncertain with no agreement on an extension to his deal at the Emirates.
Arsenal are ‘unwilling’ to hand the 30-year-old a long-term deal given his age, though The Athletic are reporting that a short-term extension has not been ruled out given the forward’s continued importance to the side.
Lacazette has returned to the team in recent weeks as the Gunners have amassed an eight-game unbeaten run to rise to fifth in the Premier League, with the forward’s partnership with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang having been a factor behind the upturn in form.
The change in system to a front two has seen Mikel Arteta’s side emerge as the division’s form side, whilst the leadership Lacazette has shown – both on the pitch and on the training ground – is believed to have impressed the Arsenal boss.
Arsenal are said to be ‘mindful’ over the implications of handing the Frenchman a long-term contract, both in terms of being saddled with a lucrative contract for an ageing player and the impact it could have on the club’s emerging contingent of younger forwards.
However, an extension has not been ruled out and a compromise could be reached to extend Lacazette’s five-year spell in north London beyond the current campaign.
