Aston Villa join race to land 199-goal Premier League striker on free transfer

Aston Villa have reportedly joined the race to sign experienced Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette on a free transfer this summer.

The France international is out of contract at the end of the season, with several clubs known to be chasing his signature. However, it appears that Steven Gerrard’s Villa have added their name to the list of potential suitors.

Indeed, Turkish outlet Sporx claims Villa have joined Lyon and Besiktas in the race to snap up the 30-year-old.

Lacazette has scored a woeful three times in 16 appearances in the Premier League this season. Overall, he boasts a record of 44 in 153 games for the Gunners since his switch from Lyon in 2017. His career total, however, stands at an impressive 199 in 467 games.

Sporx reports that Lacazette wants a salary of £5million per season, a figure which Besiktas are baulking at.

As for Lyon, much depends on what happens with Moussa Dembele’s future. There is also the potential return of Tanguy Ndombele on a permanent deal if his loan goes well.

The Tottenham man will not come cheap though, and the sort of salary he could demand could scupper a return for Lacazette.

As for Villa, Gerrard is expected to be in the market for attacking options this summer.

Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been mentioned as one option. That is perhaps not that surprising given the links between the pair from their time at Anfield.

The 34-year-old will also be out of contract this summer and could join Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho at Villa Park.

Lacazette’s Arsenal teammate Eddie Nketiah has also been mentioned as an option. However, the England Under-21 is far less proven than the other two names mentioned and would be more of a gamble.

Brendan Rodgers is the favourite to be the