How Arsene Wenger used secret meeting to convince Lacazette to join Arsenal

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By Kyran Pick

Published Jul 16, 2017

Lacazette became Arsenal's club record signing after his proposed switch to Atletico Madrid collapsed

Before Alexandre Lacazette became Arsenal's club record signing this summer, it looked like his switch to Atletico Madrid was a foregone conclusion.

Everything had been agreed and the French striker was all set to start preparing for pre-season in Spain.

Of course, we now know that move collapsed after Atletico's transfer ban - preventing them from registering any new players until January - was upheld.

But how did Arsenal ensure they would be the ones to capitalise on Diego Simeone's misfortune?

The Gunners had failed in an attempt to sign the 26-year-old 12 months earlier after being unable to agree a fee with former club Lyon.

However, after missing out on Champions League football, there was no way Arsene Wenger was going to let Lacazette slip through his fingers again.

According to The Sun, Wenger was able to convince the French forward to join Arsenal during a secret meeting held while he was on international duty last month.

As soon as the Arsenal boss heard Lacazette's switch to Spain was off, he raced Paris to speak to the striker.

“His move to Atletico was a done deal. It was the club where he wanted to go but the transfer embargo situation meant he couldn’t," a source told The Sun.

“He wouldn’t have been able to play there until January and, in a season that ends with the World Cup in Russia, there was no way Alexandre could afford to not be at the highest level for half a season.

“So Wenger struck quickly and raced over to Paris to meet him.”

Once the meeting was arranged, Wenger was able to show off the depth of his knowledge about the then Lyon star's career to date, having been an admirer for almost a decade.

Lacazette, who scored on his Arsenal debut against Sydney FC earlier this week, was then told how his versatility and goal-scoring prowess would make him a huge hit in the Premier League.

“Arsenal’s playing style is very good for him. He has always loved watching them," the unnamed source added.

“And it’ll also be easier for Alexandre to play for a French manager with other French players there, too.”

Despite his well-known admiration for the forward, Wenger did possess doubts over his ability to have an impact in big matches.

But Lacazette's performances towards the end of the 2016/17 season convinced Arsenal's French boss he was now ready for the step up.

The source continued: "He previously just wasn’t won over enough. There were too many question marks hanging over him.

“He didn’t show enough maturity and wasn’t ready to join such a big club.

“Wenger has been keeping a check on him but it’s only been in the last four months that he has been convinced he wants him at Arsenal.

“The classic criticism was that he was not a great player in the great games — but during the past two years he has been quality in the big games, too.