Gossip: Lacazette, Calhanoglu, Lavezzi…

Daniel Storey

Alex Lacazette falls out with Lyon, Man United want Calhanoglu, Arsenal and Liverpool both target Ezequiel Lavezzi (hmm…)

 

LACAZETTE FALLS OUT WITH LYON
It’s understandably sold by most media outlets as a ‘BOOST’ for Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, but it certainly looks like Alexandre Lacazette has fallen out with Lyon.

The striker signed a one-year contract extension in the summer, ending widespread speculation that he would be moving to the Premier League. However, Lacazette is annoyed then Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas made the terms of the contract public.

“Yes, it is his [Aulas’] attitude,” he told L’Equipe. “When he talks, a lot of fans listen. And when he retells things, seen from his point of view, it makes you think that the player is in the wrong. Yes his behaviour hurt and disappointed me.

“It hurt. I think that is a justified word to use. When you are a youngster at the club, in the town, and you have never really behaved in a nasty way to anyone, to be treated like that, yes, it hurts. I had had my best ever season, I really helped the team to reach the Champions League again.”

 

UNITED TARGET CALHANOGLU
With Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin and Maroune Fellaini already at the club, what Manchester United need now is another central midfielder. That’s the claim, though, with reports suggesting that Louis van Gaal is eyeing up a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Hakan Calhanoglu.

The claims seem to be sourced from a Dutch website called Soccer News, which is just about the most generic website name I’ve ever heard. Are we sure it’s all legit?

Calhanoglu is a lovely little player (said in our best Harry Redknapp voice) with a reputation as one of Europe’s best free-kick takers. But still, United don’t need him.

 

LAVEZZI TO ARSENAL
Well it’s certainly nice to see this old friend again. At least every month we catch up with the rumour that Ezequiel Lavezzi is to come to the Premier League in the near future. Every time we are left disappointed.

To be honest, it’s all typical Daily Express bluster. They say that Arsenal and Liverpool could look to sign Lavezzi, but the only new information is that the Argentina international is getting less playing time after the arrival of Angel di Maria.

However, if this is the sort of thing we can expect from our man, we’re getting behind the ‘Lavezzi to England’ campaign.