Juventus ‘to offer Arsenal a player-plus-cash deal for Alexandre Lacazette’

Juventus are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette this summer and are weighing up a player-plus-cash deal in order to get the Frenchman.

While Lacazette has featured prominently under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates, he only has two years left on his current deal and is a player that could be cashed in on in order to raise more funds for transfers.

Arteta has also been told by the club’s hierarchy that he will need to reduce the team’s wage bill this summer – and Lacazette could be one of the men to go considering he is one of the Gunners’ highest earners.

Juventus are weighing up a summer move for Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette

Mikel Arteta (right) could cash in on the Frenchman in order to raise more funds for transfers

According to The Athletic, Juventus are ready to take advantage of the situation by offering Gonzalo Higuain, Douglas Costa or Cristian Romero in exchange for the France international.

The Italian champions need more fire-power up front to help ease the burden on Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala next season.

A swap for Higuain, who turns 33 in December, appears unlikely considering the Argentine’s age and high wages.

However, the forward is in the final year of his contract at the Allianz Stadium so clubs may be interested in picking him up on a free next summer should he stay at the club beyond October. 

Gonzalo Higuain is one of three players that may be used to help facilitate a move for Lacazette

Douglas Costa (left) and Cristian Romero (R) have also been linked in a player exchange deal

Douglas Costa, who has also been linked with Manchester United, is a more attractive proposition when it comes to a swap deal but Arteta already has a wealth of wingers at the club so the need for the Brazilian is low currently.

That leaves centre-back Romero as the most likely option for a swap deal, considering he is only 22 and fills a position Arteta is desperate to strengthen.

While Lacazette has largely pleased Arteta during his brief reign as boss, the striker has only scored 10 goals this season and recorded just four assists in what has been a somewhat underwhelming campaign for him.

Lacazette (left) has scored 10 goals this season and recorded just four assists this season

But he’s not the only player that could be heading for the exit at the Emirates this summer. 

Hector Bellerin, Sokratis, Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Sead Kolasinac, as well as Shkodran Mustafi and Rob Holding, are also in the shop window. 

The club also want to sell Mesut Ozil, but their hopes of offloading the former Germany playmaker — and his £350,000-a-week salary — appear slim after his agent insisted Ozil would see out the final season of his contract.