Arsenal Transfer News: Alexandre Lacazette, Daniele Rugani and More Rumours

Plenty of star players have been linked to Arsenal in transfer rumours the past week, and this continued after Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette launched a scathing attack on his current club's president Jean-Michel Aulas. 

Meanwhile, Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, another rumoured target for the Gunners, continues to find himself near the bottom of manager Massimiliano Allegri's pecking order.

Here's a roundup of some of the biggest stories of the week involving the Gunners.

Alexandre Lacazette Upset with Lyon Management

Star striker Lacazette, who was linked with the Gunners throughout the summer, via the Daily Express' James Cambridge, has made it very clear he's unhappy with the people running his current club Lyon.

In an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe (h/t Get Football News France), he said he's “hurt” with the way Aulas treated him during the summer:

"

It hurt. I think that is a justified word to use. When you are a youngster at the club, in the town, and you have never really behaved in a nasty way to anyone, to be treated like that, yes, it hurts. I had had my best ever season, I really helped the team to reach the Champions League again.

Yes, it is his (Aulas’) attitude. When he talks, a lot of fans listen. And when he retells things, seen from his point of view, it makes you think that the player is in the wrong. Yes his behaviour hurt and disappointed me.

"

The 24-year-old established himself as one of Europe's top young strikers in 2014-15, scoring an incredible 27 goals in 33 Ligue 1 starts, per WhoScored.com. A transfer never seemed likely, with Lyon qualifying for the UEFA Champions League and set to move into a new stadium, but these latest comments may change his position with the club in a hurry.

Along with Nabil Fekir, Lacazette is undoubtedly the club's biggest star, and Aulas was desperate to keep hold of him during the summer. It now seems their relationship has soured tremendously, however, and if this is how the player feels about the people running Lyon, it's not a stretch to assume he'll be looking for a move before long.

Arsenal would be a logical destination, given their need to add another forward to the current group of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott. The latter has been in sensational form of late, but his injury history suggests the Gunners need to add more bodies to the attack, per Transfermarkt.co.uk.

There's also the French connection with manager Arsene Wenger, so if Lacazette's situation doesn't change between now and January, a transfer could be a realistic option.

January Bid for Daniele Rugani Expected

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Rugani was among the top defenders in Serie A in 2014-15 while on loan with Empoli, but he hasn't played much this season since moving back to Juventus. The 21-year-old is reportedly still on Arsenal's radar, and according to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato (h/t Daily Mirror's Aaron Flanagan), a January bid could be an option for Wenger.

The Italy under-21 international is currently stuck behind the trio of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, three of the finest defenders in all of football, while Martin Caceres is also receiving more minutes.

That was expected when Rugani announced he was moving back to Turin in the summer, however. The lack of playing time isn't something that's currently derailing his Juventus career―it was assumed he'd use the 2015-16 season to learn from some of the best at his position and provide depth in case it was needed. He remains a special talent, and a big part of the future of the Bianconeri, via Matteo Bonetti of beIN Sports:

Just because he isn't currently playing doesn't make him any more available then he was during the summer. Rugani is still seen as one of Juventus' top talents, and the Italians will have absolutely no intention of moving him in January.

Juventus have endured a nightmare start to their Serie A title defence, which likely contributed to Allegri's decision to stick with the veterans. Expect to see Rugani get his minutes in cup matches before long.

January Move for Ezequiel Lavezzi?

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Back to France, where Paris Saint-Germain's Ezequiel Lavezzi has become little more than a bench option for the Ligue 1 champions since the arrival of former Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Daily Express' Izzy Horsefield), he'll be allowed to leave the Parc des Princes for the right offer in January, after several deals fell through during the summer.

The veteran winger has proved himself to be a useful player during his time with Les Parisiens, but since the arrival of Di Maria, he's only started against the bottom teams in Ligue 1 and has seen limited action off the bench.

Lavezzi is a good player PSG don't have a real need for, and with financial fair play regulations in place, it makes sense the French outfit would consider cashing in on Lavezzi while he's still in his prime.

A January move seems less likely than a transfer next summer, but Arsenal may not be the greatest fit for his services. Wenger and Company are aiming for the Premier League title, and that kind of silverware is won with star players, not Ligue 1 cast-offs.

Lavezzi would be a great role player at the Emirates, but PSG will demand starter-money, and there won't be enough value in a deal from the Gunners' perspective.

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