Arsenal can solve the lack of quality in the striker department by offering Alexandre Lacazette as part of a swap deal. The player moving in the Gunners’ direction would be Memphis Depay from Barcelona.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Gunners are looking at making a move for Barcelona forward Memphis Depay. The Dutchman has fallen out of favour at the Camp Nou since Xavi Hernandez took control of the club.
The Catalan side have been linked with signing Lacazette, so if Arsenal opts against offering the Frenchman a new contract, and he goes to Barcelona, then La Liga would be more open to selling Depay due to an overload in that position.
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According to French outlet Le10 Sport, Barcelona are keen on signing Lacazette in the summer transfer. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took the route of leaving Arsenal in a free transfer to join the Catalan side, and Lacazette could follow this path.
The 30-year-old’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, with no guarantee he will sign a new deal. Alongside Barcelona, Lyon are also interested in Lacazette’s services which the Ligue 1 side’s club president confirmed.
Speaking via Metro, Jean-Michel Aulas said: “We’ll do our best to sign Alexandre Lacazette in June. We’ve always remained in contact with him.”
If Lacazette does depart from the club, and decides to join Barcelona, then Depay would certainly be a good backup option for Arsenal. The Gunners will need to sign two forwards due to a major shortage in the forward position.
Crystal Palace are hopeful of signing Nketiah on a free transfer in the summer. Patrick Vieira failed to lure him to Selhurst Park at the start of this season, with the two clubs unable to agree on a fee, but this will no longer be an issue.
If he does depart, along with Lacazette, then Folarin Balogun would be the only remaining striker at the club, meaning two striker signings may be required to combat the need for greater squad depth if Arsenal secure a return to the Champions League.
Depay had a failed spell in the Premier League at Manchester United, but he has since then grown as a player and has matured which has allowed him to occupy the striker role. Since leaving the Red Devils, the Dutchman scored 76 goals for the French side Lyon, and 10 goals in 30 appearances for Barcelona.
If Lacazette decides to join Barcelona at the end of his contract, then the opportunity is certainly there for Edu to bring in Depay as a result. It could go down as a swap deal where the Gunners come out as winners.
