Barcelona have reportedly joined Atletico Madrid in the hunt to sign Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette in a cut-price deal in January.

The French forward's current contract is expiring at the end of the season, allowing foreign clubs to agree a pre-contract deal with him from January 1.

In order to avoid losing Lacazette for nothing, Mikel Arteta is understood to be prepared to let him leave in January for a reduced fee with less than a year remaining on his contract.

This has brought in interest from Europe, with Spanish giants Barca and Atletico eyeing a move for last season's Arsenal top scorer.

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both interested in Alexandre Lacazette

Spanish outlet Fichajes report that Barcelona are interested in a move for Lacazette in January, after having their forward options reduced in the summer.

Lionel Messi's departure and Antoine Griezmann's return to Atletico have left Barca lacking their usual quality in attack.

The cut-price cost of a potential move for a player with just months left on his contract is also said to be appealing to the Spanish giants, due to their current financial issues.

Le10Sport also report that Atletico Madrid are in the race for Lacazette too and have been in contact with the player's representatives in recent weeks.

Juventus are also understood to be monitoring the situation ahead of a potential move for the France international, while both Roma and Sevilla have been linked with him in recent months.

Lacazette made his first start of the season in Wednesday night's Carabao Cup win over League One side AFC Wimbledon at the Emirates Stadium.

The 30-year-old opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute before setting up Emile Smith-Rowe in the second half to double the scoring in the 3-0 win.

This was Lacazette's third appearance of the season and his second goal, to take his tally for Arsenal to 67 goals in 173 appearances.

Lacazette has finished as the club's top scorer in two of the four seasons he has been at the club after arriving from Lyon in the summer of 2017.