Why Liverpool Should Have Moved For Alexandre Lacazette
Arsene Wenger failed to take Arsenal to the Champions League last season but that has not stopped him from signing one of the best strikers in world football at the moment. According to several reports, the Gunners are closing in on the signing of Alexandre Lacazette for a fee of around £52m this summer, to solve an age-old problem at the club.
The Lyon striker is one of the best finishers in world football and at just 26, has not even hit his prime. His preferable destination was the Vicente Calderon but the club’s transfer ban meant that the Premier League was his only option.
Arsenal were desperate for him in the last couple of transfer windows and it does not come as a surprise that they are close to landing him. But one club that will be kicking themselves if Lacazette is a hit in England is Liverpool.
The Reds managed to qualify for the Champions League and are also in need of some reinforcements. Jurgen Klopp, the current manager of the club, is looking to improve several areas of the squad and was also extensively linked with a move for Lacazette.
Reports suggested that Klopp was interested in his services and also took steps to approach him for his signature but Liverpool decided to back-off, making it easier for Arsenal to get their man. But should Liverpool have done more?
With 100 top-flight league goals in Europe in just 203 games is a return not many can boast of but for Lacazette, it is just the start of his career. He has been consistent in the Ligue1 for three years now and has all the attributes that can make him effective in the Premier League. At just over £50m, he is an absolute bargain and there is no reason why Klopp should not have gone for him.
Having signed Mohamed Salah, in what is a record fee for the club, Liverpool may have enough ammunition in their attack. The likes of Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, and Danny Ings are expected to be used in that order next season and Lacazette is an upgrade on at least two, if not three of those names.
Sturridge is one player who can come close, or even eclipse the 26-year old Frenchman, but has not been able to keep himself fit for a complete season. It will come as a shock if he is able to in the next campaign.
Liverpool have seriously lost a chance to solve the striker’s problem for years to come, that too on the cheap. But they have decided against it and Klopp has to be really smart to make sure that it does not come back to haunt them.
Comments are closed.