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Arsenal transfer news: Paul Merson tells club to sign Romelu Lukaku in bid to score more ‘scrappy goals’

Arsenal transfer news: Paul Merson tells club to sign Romelu Lukaku in bid to score more ‘scrappy goals’

Arsenal should consider signing Romelu Lukaku in this summer’s transfer market, according to Paul Merson.

The former Gunners midfielder has laid out his belief that Mikel Arteta’s “bare” squad needs a new striker, having missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City.

One player who can add an extra element to Arsenal’s game is Lukaku, Merson has said, following a loan spell at Inter which has seen him notch 13 goals and help the Italians reach the Champions League final.

The 30-year-old is due to return to Chelsea in the summer in a bid to prove his worth to Mauricio Pochettino, but could yet become available after his £97.5million move two years ago.

Merson told Give Me Sport that a thin pool of players is available to Arsenal this summer, saying: “Ivan Toney would have suited Arsenal, but that won’t happen now because of his ban.

“Romelu Lukaku might be available. The 30-year-old is an out-and-out centre-forward. He will stay up front and back into players. That might help Arsenal.

“They can’t be predictable. Every goal they score is a ‘good’ goal. They need to be able to score scrappy goals.

Romelu Lukaku has hit 13 goals in a loan spell at Inter (REUTERS)
Romelu Lukaku has hit 13 goals in a loan spell at Inter (REUTERS)

“Ollie Watkins I can’t see scoring 25 goals a season. Unai Emery has made him a better player but I don’t think he has the quality. If Arsenal bought him and he went and he only got ten goals next season, you wouldn’t be shocked.

“They looked at Dominic Calvert-Lewin before. Would that be right for them after the season he’s had? Probably not.”