Arsenal Launch £15m Bid to Sign Ezequiel Lavezzi From Ligue 1 Champions PSG

Arsenal are reportedly ready to table a £15m bid to secure the services of Ezequiel Lavezzi from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window.

The Metro reports that the Gunners are prepared for a busy summer and have earmarked the Argentinean international to strengthen their attacking prowess.

Arsene Wenger is highly keen on signing a top quality forward in order to ease the goal-scoring burden from his compatriot Olivier Giroud. The French international netted 22 goals in all competitions making 51 appearances to end up as Arsenal's top scorer during the 2013/14 season.

Wenger's side ended their nine-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup last month and the 64-year-old would certainly be keen on mounting stronger challenge to try and win the Premier League and Champions League in the upcoming campaign.

Lavezzi, who has two years left in his current contract with the Parisian side, scored 12 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions to help Laurent Blanc's side lift the French League Cup trophy and successfully defend their Ligue 1 title.

He is currently in Brazil with the Argentina squad for the World Cup 2014 and was an unused substitute during their 2-1 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their first Group F clash.

The 29-year-old is also believed to be a target for Chelsea. But the Blues manager Jose Mourinho is confident of signing his number one target, Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid.

The Brazil-born Spanish international has already revealed his reasons to move to Stamford Bridge and the transfer could officially be completed in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, a report from the Daily Express claims that Wenger was monitoring Lavezzi and his chief scout Steve Rowley has submitted highly positive feedback.

Although he is yet to feature for the Albiceleste in Brazil, the Gunners boss will be hoping to see the former Napoli star in action for Argentina in their upcoming fixtures against Iran and Nigeria.

Wenger has already assured the supporters that the north London club will be utilising their cheque books during the transfer window. Arsenal are also said to be after former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli and are reportedly plotting a £25m bid to sign the Italian international from AC Milan.

The Frenchman also wants to sign a goalkeeper following Lukasz Fabianski's departure to Swansea City for challenging Wojciech Szczesny's place in his starting XI. Liverpool shot-stopper Pepe Reina and Cardiff City's David Marshall are the candidates thought to be among his wish-list.