Arsenal have reportedly told Alexandre Lacazette that contract talks are on hold — opening up the possibility of a January move.

The French forward joined the Gunners in the summer of 2017 for a then club-record £46.5million fee.

But the 30-year-old has never agreed an extension to his five-year deal at the Emirates, meaning he is set to become a free agent next summer.

Lacazette earns around £200,000 per week and The Sun say that Arsenal are reluctant to offer him another long-term contract on his current salary.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta would like to keep the striker in North London beyond this campaign but admitted last week that a resolution was not imminent.

He said: "I don’t know because there is so much stuff going on. What I can say is I’m really happy with what Laca is doing. 

"We’re not going to be talking about any of that until the end of the season though."

By delaying any agreement, Arsenal run the risk of losing Lacazette on a free transfer.

The marksman is free to strike a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs as early as January and Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Marseille are all keen.

While they can negotiate freely in the winter window, Premier League sides would still need to have a bid accepted — though that is unlikely to stop basement boys Newcastle from enquiring.

The Magpies were reported to be keen on Lacazette last month and cash is expected to be made available by the club’s new owners as they look to avoid a disastrous relegation.

Arsenal’s No9 has netted 51 goals in 135 Premier League appearances and is back in the first-team picture in North London, having started their last four league clashes.

In other news

Fulham hotshot Aleksandar Mitrovic is set to attract interest in January with Europa League winners Villarreal among the clubs keen on the Serbian international.

The Mirror report that a fee around the £13.5m mark has been proposed by the Spanish outfit for the Cottagers’ 21-goal sensation.

Spanish outlet AS suggest that Bayern Munich are preparing to test cash-strapped Barcelona by moving for their teenage sensation Pedri.

The 18-year-old, who has just been crowned Golden Boy, has a £1bn release clause but the Bavarians believe they can put together an offer lucrative enough to tempt the player and club into a sale.

Renato Sanches has told L’Equipe that he is ready for a new challenge away from current club Lille after a potential Barcelona move collapsed this summer.

Ex-Bayern midfielder Sanches, 24, has been linked with Arsenal and AC Milan in recent weeks but will cost north of £30m.