Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Alexandre Lacazette, Ricardo Rodriguez Rumours

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has dismissed reports linking Arsenal with a move for the club’s star centre-forward Alexandre Lacazette.

A report from Jason Burt in the Daily Telegraph had stated the Gunners were ready to meet the striker’s £34 million release clause this summer, with manager Arsene Wenger said to be keen on adding to his options up front ahead of the 2016-17 season. But Aulas, speaking to L’Equipe (h/t Dejan Kalinic of Goal), dismissed suggestions the player will be sold:

"

I saw Arsene during France matches and he has not told me. I don't think it's something and it seems Alex wants to spend this season with Lyon in the new stadium.

He wants to know an adventure in the Champions League could be much better than last season. I think he will stay with us and we are very happy.

"

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

The point of the attack has been a headache for Arsenal supporters for a long time now, with the lack of a world-class goal-getter holding back the club in pursuit of major honours.

While Lacazette’s compatriot Olivier Giroud is a very effective forward, he doesn’t possess the searing pace or dribbling ability to stretch opposition defences and create space for the Gunners’ midfield schemers. During his rise in Ligue 1 over the last couple of campaigns, Lacazette has. Here is a look at why a lot of Arsenal fans would love to see him at the Emirates Stadium:

In terms of his physical qualities, Lacazette would certainly add a thrust to the final third for Arsenal; it’s a trait Wenger does seem to want to introduce to the squad, with a pursuit of Leicester City man Jamie Vardy eventually coming up short.

The France international is a forward who would add predatory instincts to the Gunners setup, as these numbers from WhoScored.com illustrate:

While there may not have been any contact between the two parties as of yet, that doesn’t mean Wenger isn’t plotting a move for the striker. After all, the chase for Vardy shows he’s in for a forward. Getting in a striker of Lacazette’s calibre would be a significant boost to the team’s hopes of securing Premier League glory next term.

Manchester City Want Ricardo Rodriguez

According to Simon Jones of the Mail on Sunday, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is looking at Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez as he seeks to restructure his defence next term. He is a player that’s been strongly linked with Arsenal.

Jones noted that while Torino man Bruno Peres is top of Guardiola’s list, a move for the Swiss international has also been discussed. According to Blick (h/t Tom Coast of Sport Witness) the player will move on this summer, with the Gunners said to be in the hunt for him.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Rodriguez has blossomed during his time at the Volkswagen Arena, growing into one of the top left-backs on the continent. Sports journalist Rafael Hernandez is a big fan of the 23-year-old star and thinks Guardiola would be an ideal mentor:

At the moment Arsenal’s starting left-back is Nacho Monreal, a player that’s made improvements following an inconsistent beginning to life at the Emirates Stadium. Here is a look at how the two players compared in league matches last term:

	Rodriguez	Monreal
Apps (Sub)	23 (1)	36 (1)
Goals	2	0
Assists	3	3
Dribbles per game	0.8	0.4
Key passes per game	1.5	0.8
Tackles per game	1.5	2.1
Interceptions per game	1.8	2.9

What Rodriguez would potentially offer Arsenal or City is a huge attacking threat on the left flank. The Swiss is superb at timing his forays into the final third, providing width when his team constructs attacks in the middle of the pitch. With the ball at his feet, he produces excellent deliveries, whether crossing from open play or in dead-ball scenarios.

Monreal adds a defensive balance to this Gunners team, with Hector Bellerin allowed to bomb forward at will on the right side. Rodriguez would offer a similar attacking outlet on the left, although with City also said to be on the hunt for a new full-back, they may face stiff competition for the player.