Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette reveals talks with ‘lots of clubs’ over summer transfer and admits he ‘didn’t like’ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before striker arrived in north London

Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette has said he is “in talks with many clubs” as his contract at Emirates Stadium is set to expire.

The striker also revealed he didn’t expect his friendship with former teammates Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, admitting he didn’t like him before they met.

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Lacazette was officially named Gunners captain until the end of the season in February, following the armband retirement of Aubameyang, who then left for Barcelona.

The Frenchman’s contract in north London will expire at the end of the season, but in an interview with French outlet Canal+ he indicated there was a lot of interest.

He also refused to rule out a return to Lyon, which he joined from Arsenal in 2017.

“I’m in talks with a lot of clubs, I’m open,” the 30-year-old revealed.

“I have never cut contact with Lyon since my departure. I try to return to the club once or twice a year to see the medical staff because we are very close. So yes, now Lyon knows that I am free, they went through the information.

“It’s a bit more complicated [joining Lyon without European football]. I want to play in Europe. It’s been a long time since I played in the Champions League too, I miss it.

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” It’s a little complicated. Nothing is impossible in life, but it is a bit more complicated.

This may seem like bad news for Arsenal fans who are desperate to keep their current captain, but as Lacazette has also revealed he relishes his current role at the club.

“I am proud [to be captain],” he explained. “This is perhaps one of the seasons where I have the most responsibility within the team.

“I think I’m mature enough now for that. I maintain a good relationship between the team and the staff. I try to bring as much trust as possible to my partners.

“Last year, I told Bukayo [Saka] play the way he wants, that if we lose, I’ll take responsibility and that he shouldn’t worry. Then we played a sick game and he scored. He said to me, ‘when you told me that, it really relieved me.’ So yes, it’s nice.

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“I really feel it. I also feel like they’re listening. When I’m giving instructions, when I’m talking, I feel like they’re all paying attention. But no, to be honest, it’s great. C is a different status than I have now.

The man replaced by Lacazette as Arsenal captain, Aubameyang, has had a good start to life in Spain.

The duo have forged a strong relationship on and off the pitch in England, which has often been shown at iconic celebrations.

However, that could easily have not been the case, with Lacazette revealing first impressions weren’t good, with his Gabonese friend looking very different to the character we see on social media.

Lacazette said: “I had some misconceptions about him. Before he arrived, I didn’t like him.

“To be honest, I’m not friends with the Aubameyang you see on Instagram. I’m friends with Pierre-Emerick. People don’t know Pierre-Emerick. They know Aubameyang.

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