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Barcelona are eyeing a summer move for Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, according to Mundo Deportivo.

What’s the word?

Barcelona are attempting to sign Antoine Griezmann this summer, the report claims, with the Atletico Madrid forward having been a target for the Catalan giants since last season.

Griezmann’s release clause will drop from €200million (£170m) to €120m (£102m) this summer, with Barca finally seeing the France international as an attainable target.

Lacazette, though, is said to be a back-up in case Griezmann decides to remain at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

The report claims that the Gunners striker could cost as much as €70m (£59.5m), but Barca are said to be aware of the prospect of lowering that figure by including players in the deal.

The likes of midfielder Andre Gomes, currently on loan at Everton, and Samuel Umtiti, the central defender, are name-checked by Mundo Deportivo as potential makeweights.

The perfect opportunity

This deal makes all the sense in the world for Arsenal.

Lacazette has been in decent form this season, scoring 18 goals and laying on 12 assists this season.

But reports claim that, if the Gunners miss out on Champions League football, manager Unai Emery will be handed a transfer budget of just £40m.

Cashing in on their second-best striker – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is quicker, more efficient and a better player to build around – and boosting their kitty while potentially receiving a game-changing central defender in return is a no-brainer.

This is not a Thierry Henry situation, where Arsenal fought tooth and nail to keep him in north London before his move to Camp Nou.

This is the exact opposite; Emery should be helping him pack.