Arsenal Transfer News: Kingsley Coman Approach Made, Alexandre Lacazette Latest
Arsenal have reportedly made a move for Juventus forward Kingsley Coman, but the Gunners could face competition for the 19-year-old from some of European football’s biggest names.
According to Calciomercato (h/t Adam Skinner of the Daily Express), the north London side have been “keeping tabs” on Coman, with the piece claiming “contact has been made” between Arsenal and the Italian champions. The interest of Bayern Munich is also noted, as well as a “clutch of Serie A clubs.”
Here’s a look at why Coman has a reputation as one of the best young talents around:
The French teenager joined Juventus on a free transfer in the summer of 2014, and although his first-team appearances were limited last season, he’s showcased talent that suggests he is capable of going all the way to the top.
According to Bleacher Report’s Italian football expert Adam Digby, it’s an opinion shared by some of his Juventus team-mates:
For Arsenal, Coman would be an exciting purchase. The youngster is blessed with a powerful running style, wonderful ball control and searing pace, meaning he’d be capable of adding a raw dimension to the Gunners’ attacking forays.
But given Arsenal’s existing array of options in this area of the pitch, would he get the game time needed to develop? And do the north Londoners even require a player like him?
Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe took a look at what tweaks the Gunners may need to make ahead of the 2015/16 season:
Coman may be enticed by the prospect of moving to a club like Arsenal or Bayern, but for the time being, Turin remains the best venue for him to continue his development.
Although he’ll struggle to get regular game time, Bianconeri boss Massimiliano Allegri has already shown he’s willing to give the teenager time on the pitch—he came on in the recent Champions League final against Barcelona—and the Italian champions will be reluctant to let a player of Coman’s immense talent leave the club just a year after his signing.
Alexandre Lacazette Drops Social Media Hint
During these barren summer months, supporters can become a little restless in their pursuit of transfer rumours. And anyone keeping a close eye on the Twitter account of reported Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette will have noticed some intriguing activity lately.
As noted by Charlie Doris of the London Evening Standard, the Lyon man "favourited" a post on Twitter which linked him with a move to the Emirates. The tweet, which was entitled “Wenger plans to take advantage of negotiations between Lyon & Lacazette,” has since been un-favourited by the Lyon man.
If Arsenal could get a deal done for the striker, it’d be a marvellous move. Lacazette, after all, was one of the most prolific players in European football last season, per Squawka Football:
Anyone reading into this social media gesture as a major indicator is probably looking a little too much into things, though. After all, we’ve all scrolled down the page on Twitter and accidentally favourited a post before.
But there does seem to be some genuine interest in the player from the Gunners, with Tutto Mercato Web (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) claiming Arsenal are “closing in” on the forward. Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette rates the Lyon man highly:
He’d be a fine foil for the midfield stars Arsenal already have. Lacazette has blistering pace and intelligent movement, meaning he’d flourish in a team containing visionary talents such as Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey.
After firing Lyon into the Champions League last season, the Ligue 1 side will be desperate to keep hold of their prized asset for at least another campaign.
However, it seems inevitable that the most illustrious clubs in European football will come calling for this wonderful forward, and there will be plenty of people keeping a keen eye on the player’s social media activity should further rumours emerge.
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