LACAZETTE FIRED UP FOR ARSENAL
NEW £46.5M STRIKER LOOKS TO WIN TITLES WITH WENGER’S GUNNERS
Alexandre Lacazette believes he has all the attributes needed to help fire Arsenal to the Premier League title this season.
The 26-year-old’s protracted transfer from hometown club Lyon was finally confirmed yesterday, for an Arsenal club record fee, reportedly £46.5million.
Lacazette netted 37 goals in all competitions last season and becomes the Gunners’ second major summer addition following the arrival of left-back Sead Kolasinac on a free from Schalke.
The 26-year-old is determined he can add a cutting edge to a squad which failed to finish in the top four of the Premier League for the first time in Arsene Wenger’s 20-year reign.
“Throughout my childhood, thanks to Thierry Henry and other French players, I always dreamed of playing for this club,” Lacazette saidr.
“Arsenal is also the club which plays the best football in England, so I really wanted to come here.
“When I play I like to use my pace and to link up with my team-mates. As a forward of course I like to score goals, but that is not all that I am about.
“I want to give 100 per cent in every match I want to show I am worthy of the shirt. I want to do everything I can to make sure we win titles.”
Lacazette’s arrival casts doubt over the future of fellow France striker Olivier Giroud, who has been linked with a £20million move to both Everton and West Ham.
New Preston North End manager Alex Neil is aiming high – after replacing Simon Grayson at the Championship club.
Grayson departed to take over at Sunderland last week, and the Deepdale side secured ex-Norwich boss Neil on a rolling contract.
He is excited by the challenge, saying: “Talking to the people here, I realised this was a team and club with real potential.
“They have built year-onyear but I still think there is a lot of scope to build further which is important to me.
“The club is built on good steady progress, building year after year and that isn’t going to change. The money we have we will spend wisely, invest it in good quality players to help improve us.
“I’m not coming here to rip anything up and change the whole squad.”
Huddersfield have broken their transfer record again to sign Montpellier striker Steve Mounie, for a reported £11.5million. They have also landed Fulham left-back Scott Malone.
Stoke City have signed highly-rated defender Josh Tymon after the teenager turned down a new contract offer at relegated Hull.
Championship newcomers Millwall have snapped up Fleetwood right-back Conor McLaughlin after he rejected a new contract.
Scotland winger Barrie McKay has joined Nottingham Forest from Rangers for an undisclosed fee, thought to be about £500,000.