Arsenal Transfer News: Major Deals Eyed by Arsene Wenger, Latest Rumours

Arsenal may struggle in their reported pursuit of Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski after the Pole hinted his future lies with the Bundesliga club.

Recent reports suggested that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was ready to launch a £35 million bid for Lewandowski to add firepower to his forward line, per the Express's Izzy Horsefield.

However, the 26-year-old has now said that his best has yet to come at Bayern, suggesting he has no thoughts of departing the Allianz Arena any time soon, per the club's website:

"

I don’t believe the fans have already seen the best of me. I can, and will, be even better this season, I’m certain of that. It’s not always easy of course as there are so many factors involved. It’s vital we play well as a team. That’s the most important thing. It would be useless to me personally if I was to finish top scorer but we only come second in the Bundesliga and go out of the Champions League in the last sixteen.

"

Lewandowski is a quality striker and netted 17 times in the Bundesliga last season, per WhoScored.com. In his previous seasons with Borussia Dortmund, he returned even more goals and is clearly looking to do so again in the coming term at Bayern.

It seems, then, that he is eager to stay at the Bundesliga champions, leaving Arsenal needing to look elsewhere if they want to add a new striker in the summer transfer window.

Lewandowski was touted as an alternative signing to Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who is also set to stay at his current club, per La Liga expert Guillem Balague:

With neither Lewandowski or Benzema apparently available for purchase, Arsenal could start the new Premier League season without having added to their striking ranks.

The Gunners arguably need a new striker if they are to challenge for the Premier League title, as Olivier Giroud can surely not be relied upon exclusively.

Wenger may be planning to also use Theo Walcott in a more advanced role, but as Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe notes, Arsenal need another top-class striker:

Indeed, with Lukas Podolski having departed for Galatasaray and Yaya Sanogo loaned out to Ajax, Arsenal's options at the head of the attack are somewhat limited.

They are set to be limited further with the news that 19-year-old striker Chuba Akpom is to join Hull City on loan, despite Wenger recently suggesting the young Englishman would stay at the Emirates in the coming season, per BBC Sport. 

Akpom has been sent out on various loan spells in his time at Arsenal but looked set to be vying for a first-team spot in 2015-16. But a return to the Championship with Hull now looks likely.

Arsenal had a terrific end to the 2014-15 term, which suggested they may be able to make a genuine title challenge in the coming season.

However, despite the presence of Giroud, Walcott and Alexis Sanchez, their lack of out-and-out strikers could hamstring them when the new campaign gets under way.

Lewandowski would have been a high quality addition, but it seems the Polish international is staying in Germany.