West Ham United have reportedly already started talks to sign Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette in January and he showed David Moyes just what he would be getting by netting his 200th goal during an impressive cameo last night.
West Ham tried to sign Arsenal bit-part player Lacazette back in 2016. The Hammers wanted to make the Frenchman their marquee striker signing as they moved from Upton Park to the London Stadium.
But West Ham saw a bid of £31 million rejected, as reported by Sky Sports at the time. And he ended up moving to Arsenal instead.
Well now, five years on, West Ham have already made contact to sign Lacazette from Arsenal in a cut price deal in January according to a report from Jeunes Footeux.
Hammers have already started talks with Lacazette ahead of January window – report
The 30-year-old Arsenal hitman is out of contract at the Emirates in the summer.
Given his lack of game time at Arsenal, it looks increasingly likely he will be available for a cut-price fee in January as the Gunners look to recoup some of their original outlay.
The Arsenal centre-forward is a transfer target for the Hammers’ according to Jeunes Footeux.
And West Ham are thought to have already made contact with the French hitman’s representatives.
Well David Moyes saw just what he would be getting when Lacazette netted his 200th goal in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Monday night.
Lacazette and he shows what Moyes would be getting with 200th goal during impressive cameo
Lacazette was a breath of fresh air when he came on, pumping up the crowd and expertly linking the play with his brilliant tight control and intelligence.
His movement was sensational as he helped Arsenal get a foothold in the game and suppress a Palace side who had taken a 2-1 lead.
The West Ham target pounced right at the death to drive the ball home. He evaded his marker and showed great instincts to be in the right place at the right time to slot home a loose ball.
It was Lacazette’s 200th goal in professional football having scored 129 with Lyon, three with France and his 68th with Arsenal.
Was Moyes waiting for Gunners bit-part player all along?
Moyes elected not to sign a striker in the summer, saying none of the players he wanted were available (Independent).
That has left West Ham wholly reliant on the brilliant but historically injury-prone Michail Antonio.
Lacazette would complement Antonio so well.
So perhaps Moyes knew he had the chance to get the Arsenal man signed in January for a bargain fee and decided to bide his time.
Experienced forward the ideal signing for Hammers
What a boost signing someone like Lacazette would be for West Ham in January.
It would take the pressure off Antonio and allow Moyes to rest and rotate his squad without dropping their threat level.
And if – as is expected – West Ham make the last 16 of the Europa League, Lacazette would make the Hammers serious contenders when the knockout stages get under way from March.
Lacazette knows London, there would be no settling in period in terms of playing in the Premier League. And he would join a growing French and French speaking contingent at West Ham which includes Alphonse Areola, Kurt Zouma, Issa Diop, Arthur Masuaku, Said Benrahma and Pierre Ekwah Elimby.
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