If Tammy Abraham won’t join Roma from Chelsea, then the Giallorossi have a Plan B in the form of Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Director Tiago Pinto flew out to London today for face-to-face negotiations not just with Chelsea, but above all Abraham, who is reportedly resisting the transfer to Italy.
His family are Arsenal fans and the 23-year-old England international wants to remain closer to home with a switch to the Gunners.
Roma have agreed a €40m deal with Chelsea, to be paid over several instalments and reportedly with a buy-back clause in favour of the Stamford Bridge side.
However, Calciomercato.com now report that Abraham’s continued resistance has prompted them to prepare a Plan B for this London trip.
That is represented by Lacazette, who would be even more likely to leave if Arsenal go for Abraham instead, which is why it’s suggested they are offering the striker to Roma.
His contract is running down in June 2022, he is not part of coach Mikel Arteta’s plans and his salary of €4m per season is within Roma’s range.
Lacazette is much older than Abraham, having turned 30 in May, and therefore doesn’t have the same potential resale value.
He does bring experience, including 16 senior caps for France, and Arsenal paid Olympique Lyonnais €53m for him in 2017.
Lacazette scored 17 goals in 43 competitive games for the Gunners last season.
#Roma, intrigo a Londra per #TiagoPinto: si lavora per #Abraham, ma spunta #Lacazette https://t.co/eM957SrurF pic.twitter.com/DVOf5dOkZX
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) August 11, 2021