Arsenal transfer fear as agent claims he offered Lacazette to Zenit and star has £61m release clause – The Sun

ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE was offered to Zenit St-Petersburg over the summer and has a £61million release clause, according to Russian agent Dmitry Cheltsov.

The representative claims Zenit opted to sign Malcom from Barcelona instead of moving for the Gunners' French striker, 28.

Lacazette has scored two in three Premier League matches this season and is using the international break to recover from an ankle injury.

Cheltsov told Sports Business Gazeta: "I offered Alexandre Lacazette to Zenit. Their sporting director Javier Ribalta said to me: ‘Are you crazy? His release clause is €68m.’

"I told him you can negotiate with Arsenal. I am sure they will be ready to accept something between €50m and €55m. His salary would be €7-8m after tax."

Despite Cheltsov's claims, Lacazette is not believed to have a release clause and Arsenal are not interested in selling.

The goalscorer has been out since the start of September but could return against Sheffield United.

He has been in training this week and is likely to join in full sessions when his team-mates return from international duty.

Despite some concerns over domestic performances, Arsenal sit third in the Premier League and are just a point behind Manchester City in second.

They have also starred in Europe while unearthing gems in Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.

Defence is still an issue, however, with new signing David Luiz failing to bolster an error-strewn unit.

Fortunately, Hector Bellerin, Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding will come in after injury issues to add strength in depth.

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