Atletico Madrid are ready to offer Thomas Lemar to Arsenal in exchange for Alexandre Lacazette if their pursuit of Edinson Cavani ends in failure this January transfer window.
The Spanish giants have only scored 22 goals in La Liga this campaign and Diego Simeone is desperate to bring in a top-class striker to boost their title chances, with Barca and Madrid five points above them in the table.
Cavani is at the top of Simeone’s wishlist but PSG insist the Uruguay forward will not be sold, despite his deal expiring in the summer window.
As a result, Atletico Madrid have been scouring the market for other options should Cavani remain in the Framce – and this has led them to Arsenal striker Lacazette.
Simeone – who has registered a strong interest in Lacazette in previous windows – are willing to offer Lemar in any possible deal for the Arsenal striker, according to Marca.
The report claims that Lacazette will only be targeted if it becomes clear that they no longer have a chance of signing Cavani.
Lemar has failed to live up to expectations since his £51m transfer move from Monaco back in 2018 and the midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to England this winter.
Lacazette has had a poor start to the campaign at Arsenal, scoring just six goals in all competitions, and he will be under the spotlight in Aubameyang’s absence.
Aubameyang will miss Arsenal’s next three games through suspension and Mikel Arteta has called on Lacazette and his attackers to step up in his absence.
‘They now have to make a step forward now he is not able to contribute to the team with goals,’ Arteta said. ‘Someone else has to do it and I want to see that reaction too.’
