Emirates Stadium side to test the water with an early summer bid for Stamford Bridge striker.
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Arsenal will look to lure Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku from Stamford Bridge as Arsene Wenger looks to make significant changes to his Gunners squad this summer.
Wenger is keen to strengthen his attacking options and believes he can tempt the Belgian international into a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Lukaku has been a huge success during his season long loan move at West Brom, outscoring any of his Chelsea team-mates, and has already spoken of his desire to secure regular first team football beyond the current campaign.
Though Fernando Torres may well be on his way out at Stamford Bridge, with Blues owner Roman Abramovich said to have ran out of patience with the Spaniard, the Russian billionaire has his sights set on a ‘Marquee’ striker signing to fill any potential void with Atletico Madrid goal machine Radamel Falcao heading Chelsea’s wish-list.
Such a move would further dent Lukaku’s aspirations of making an impact at Chelsea and therefore a move to North London could well be one the teenager would be open to considering.
Wenger tracked Lukaku as he rose to prominence at Anderlecht but couldn’t outbid Chelsea as they snapped up the powerful forward in a deal that could rise to £17m back in August 2011 but the Arsenal boss is ready to make an offer in the region of £14m for the Antwerp born striker.
Chelsea are apparently keen to trim their squad, which currently includes an incredible 24 players who are out on loan, with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules beginning to bite. Roman Abramovich must look to cut costs and the size of his playing staff, especially if he plans to bring in further additions, and as such could be open to selling Lukaku.
Lukaku has thrived at West Brom, scoring 13 Premier League goals despite half of his 26 appearances coming from the bench. Baggies boss Steve Clarke would clearly be open to an extension of his temporary move but the Chelsea starlet may well feel that a move to Arsenal would be more beneficial, especially if he felt he could force his way into Wenger’s first team set-up.
Wenger has relied heavily on Olivier Giroud as he main striking weapon, opting to convert Theo Walcott in a central role on occasion, and with Lukas Podolski and Gervinho still both primarily seen as wide attackers a move for Lukaku would be a wise one to consider.