If recent reports (via AS) are to be believed, Arsenal are open to using Alexandre Lacazette in a swap deal with Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish club are interested in the French striker, but rather than offering a fee for the 28-year-old they could offer one of their players in exchange instead.
So who could the Gunners target? Which Atleti player would see them emerge with the better of any deal?
Angel Correa
Correa was close to joining AC Milan last summer only for a deal to fall at the last hurdle.
Atletico have been made to feel grateful about that, with the Argentine forward enjoying a strong season while others around him have struggled, netting five times in La Liga and assisting in six more goals.
Arsenal would surely demand a cash fee on top of Correa in exchange for Lacazette, but the 25-year-old would bring great energy to Mikel Arteta’s attacking line.
Correa is frequently the glue that holds Atletico together in the final third.
His intensity and link up play could be what Arsenal need to truly flourish.
Mario Hermoso
It’s been clear for some time that Arsenal’s defence is in need of a revamp. Indeed, one of Arteta’s priorities for the summer surely concerns the recruitment of at least one new centre-back, and this is where Lacazette could be used as a bargaining chip to lure Hermoso to the Emirates.
The 24-year-old has made 12 La Liga starts for Atletico this season and is highly rated by Diego Simeone.
Nevertheless, he finds himself behind Felipe, Stefan Savic and Jose Jimenez in the centre-back pecking order, so might see the prospect of a switch to Arsenal appealing.
Thomas Lemar
Lemar would be the most obvious candidate when assessing which Atletico players Arsenal could ask for in exchange for Lacazette. It has the potential to be a deal that suits all parties.
Atleti would get a new striker in the process of offloading an expensive flop. Lemar would get the fresh start he needs, while Arsenal would bolster their attacking midfield options.
The failure of Lemar in Spain is something of a mystery. Signed for €70m as Atletico’s most expensive transfer two summers ago, big things were expected of him, but his career has since flatlined.
Simeone doesn’t know how to get a tune out of the Frenchman. Maybe Arteta would stand a better chance.
Saul Niguez
Once considered Atletico’s prize asset in terms of transfer market value, Niguez’s career has plateaued over the last two seasons. The midfielder has still managed to maintain his knack for a big game goal, but has seemingly lost the faith of Simeone, who has taken to using the 25-year-old at left-back, much to the player’s public annoyance.
Saul’s technical ability is in no doubt. Arteta would surely welcome his compatriot to the Emirates with open arms.
Saul would give the new Arsenal manager a lot to work with in the centre of the pitch, although Atleti might want more than just Lacazette in exchange for the midfielder.
Thomas Partey
The firing pistol on the transfer pursuit of Partey was fired as soon as it became common knowledge that a €50m release clause existed in the Ghanian’s contract.
While most have struggled at Atletico this season, Partey has shone. His performances have given Simeone encouragement when it has been in short supply elsewhere.
There is barely a Premier League club not to have been linked with the 26-year-old, but Arsenal could use Lacazette to ensure they win the race.
Partey is exactly what their midfield is lacking, capable of protecting the back four while also driving forward with the ball at his feet.
