Arsenal: Paul Merson urges Arsene Wenger to sign Everton striker Romelu Lukaku

Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson wants the Gunners to sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton which will give them some much needed impetus up front. The striker has been heavily linked with a move out of the club and Merson believes he is the man to alleviate the Gunners' goalscoring woes.

The north London club have all but conceded defeat in the pursuit of Jamie Vardy, with Arsene Wenger specifically commenting that the Leicester City man is likely to remain with the Champions next season following a breakthrough in negotiations with the management. The Gunners had activated his release clause and a decision was due after England's participation in the European Championships in France.

"If Arsenal come calling for you, and you don't come in the first 24 hours then you aren't signing. I mean, you are talking about one of the biggest clubs in the world. Everybody wants to play for Arsenal," Merson said on Vardy, when speaking to talkSPORT.

Lukaku had a breakthrough season for the Toffees, scoring 18 goals in 37 appearances for the Men in Blue and has been linked with a move to Manchester United to reunite with his former boss Jose Mourinho. He has also scored two goals in the Euros against Republic of Ireland, opening his account for Belgium in the Euros.

"I think he's a bit different, a bit stronger up front which would help Arsenal," he added. "I can see why Chelsea let him go; he was one of them that needed the ball over the top. But he was a young kid and I think he's learnt his trade now. It just depends how much he is."

The Gunners have made signing a striker their top priority this summer and have also been linked with a move for Lille forward Sofiane Boufal. Wenger has stated that he is the market for three signings, having already completed the capture of Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach.