Recent reports suggest that Arsenal are looking to make a move for Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix ahead of the 2022/23 season. The Gunners are keen on bolstering their defence and have shortlisted the French centre-back as a potential target.
After a heartbreaking end to the previous season where the Gunners missed out on Champions League football by a narrow margin because of unfavourable results in the last few games of the season, the North London giants are prepared to break the bank to strengthen the squad for the upcoming season.
Gabriel Jesus, Matt Turner, Fabio Vieira, and Marquinhos have already walked through the gates at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners are now preparing to further increase their squad depth before starting the 2022/23 season. The next positions to be reinforced seem to be the club’s defensive areas, with the Wolfsburg defender one of the key names on the list.
According to the French outlet Media Foot (via Football London), Arsenal are now tracking the progress of Maxence Lacroix very closely. In case William Saliba makes an exit from the Emirates, the Gunners might make a move for the Wolfsburg centre-back to replace him.
Arsenal sent out youngster William Saliba on loan to Olympique Marseille at the beginning of the last season. The Frenchman largely impressed during his season-long stint in France, thanks to his consistent performances. The 21-year-old defender was named the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year and even made it into L’Equipe’s Team of the Year.
With such a huge season on his back, the Arsenal centre-back may be looking at opportunities to play elsewhere to gain more game-time, especially as there’s a chance that the youngster yet again may not make it into the Gunners’ first-team. Atletico Madrid and Napoli are keeping tabs on the Frenchman’s situation in North London.
Avid FIFA gamers may already be familiar with the 22-year-old Lacroix. The former U-20 France international is widely renowned in the gaming circles for his amazing stats in the game, even making it into Red Bull’s Best Bundesliga Starter team.
What the Arsenal transfer room looks like as the summer window gets underway.
Up first… Maxence Lacroix.
“Listen: he’s the absolute meta Gold Rare Central defender in #FUT. Despite being rated 79 OVR, he costs more than Ruben Dias’s gold card in game. I think this is our guy.” https://t.co/FCZlEIQCEz
— Jacob Schneider (@_jacobschneider) July 11, 2022
The Wolfsburg startlet is known for his blistering pace, a trait most people would not associate with the position in which he plays. Adding to his quick pace, the Villeneuve-Saint-Georges-born defender stands at about 6ft 3 inches, a lethal combination for any forward-minded player facing him.
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Earlier this year, The Times reported that Arteta would love to add two solid options to the position which already features Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. Maxence Lacroix could become a very crucial option for Arsenal if the manager becomes adamant about ample depth. Strength in depth also becomes a crucial aid once we consider the five-substitution rule that is to be implemented in the Premier League from next season.
Arteta demands his centre-backs be comfortable on the ball and possess the ability to play out from the back, alongside being strong and tough enough to meet the physical needs of the job. Lacroix in that sense, just like his French compatriot Saliba, ticks all the right boxes, making him one of the most potent young defenders in the world.
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