Arsenal Transfer News: Robert Lewandowski, Riyad Mahrez, Latest Rumours

Decorated former Arsenal player Ray Parlour has told his old manager Arsene Wenger to sign Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. The prolific Poland international has even indicated he might welcome a move to the Premier League one day.

Like anyone who has seen the Gunners labour through this season, Parlour knows how badly Wenger's squad needs a top-notch goal-getter.

He told the Daily Star's Alex Wood who Wenger's top target should be: "Robert Lewandowski, if they can get him. Someone of that calibre. Ideally you want players that are 25 or 26, but sometimes you don’t get opportunities for that. I just think they’re lacking a top quality striker."

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Wood also indicated how Arsenal would need to beat Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United if Bayern were open to a sale. While that seems unlikely, the player himself isn't averse to the idea of eventually playing in England's top flight.

Speaking to France Football (h/t James Benson of the Daily Express), Lewandowski discussed his future: "Maybe I'll play in England or Spain one day but, if I [am] committed to pursuing my career in Munich, it's because I considered it the ideal club at which to move up a level and to win more trophies."

If there's even a slither of hope Arsenal could prise Lewandowski away from Bayern, Wenger has to take it. His team won't win the title without a striker who can provide goals consistently.

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As a mobile target man, equally great in the air as he is comfortable on the deck, Lewandowski can do both. The 27-year-old has bagged 38 goals for Munich this season, to go with a trio of assists, according to WhoScored.com.

While the last number could be higher, Lewandowski knows how to combine well in a passing team. He can link with attacking midfielders and wide forwards. It's a skill that would make his partnership with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez a deadly one at Arsenal.

The lack of a potent, match-winning centre-forward has wrecked the Gunners' title bid this season. Frenchman Olivier Giroud has been the poster child for Arsenal's profligacy, as these numbers from Squawka prove:

As much as he needs him, Wenger may struggle to tempt Lewandowski into leaving Bayern. But there are other players who would bolster his meagre attacking options.

Riyad Mahrez Doesn't Want Paris Saint-Germain Move

Some potential good news for Wenger comes from Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez declaring he doesn't want a move to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. The PFA Player of the Year made his feelings clear to Goal.com (h/t Spanish publication Sport):

"

I'm not saying it's impossible.

But I really didn't like it. I don't want to return to France. France doesn't tempt me at all, I like England.

PSG has become a very big club. They have strong players and the club is currently building a big project.

I loved Marseille when I was a boy. Even today, Paris doesn't make me dream too. This is my town, but I don't see myself returning.

"

Wenger will welcome those words since he's been linked with Leicester's star playmaker so often. The Sun's Dan King reported Mahrez is Wenger's top target this summer.

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Foxes manager Claudio Ranieri has previously indicated he would be open to selling Mahrez to a big club, per the Daily Mirror's Steve Madeley.

Mahrez's pace, eye for a pass, perceptive movement and deadly left foot in front of goal would all be major assets in the attractive, expansive brand of football Wenger favours.

Putting Mahrez and a marquee central striker alongside Sanchez and Ozil would immediately solve the problems in front of goal that have crippled Arsenal's title challenge. Wenger's men have failed to find the net in eight different league matches this season, per Sky Sports, which is the main reason they now find themselves in a familiar scrap for fourth.

Wojciech Szczesny's Roma Stay Debated

On-loan goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny could make his stay with Serie A outfit AS Roma a permanent one. The Polish stopper indicated as much during a recent interview with Italian source Il Messagero (h/t James Benge of the London Evening Standard): "I want to stay. It's not all up to me, obviously. I want it to happen, and I know Roma and Arsenal are talking about it, so we'll see what happens."

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Despite the very clear import of his words, Szczesny felt compelled to offer this unflattering description of the coverage about his future from England, via his Facebook account:

Whatever Szczesny is actually trying to say about his future, it doesn't seem to belong in north London. Not when Petr Cech and David Ospina are both preferred by Wenger.

Always a gifted shot-stopper, Szczesny has been guilty of major gaffes due to poor decision-making when he's kept goal for the Gunners. He also hasn't seemed the most committed to improving his game.

Moving on would suit both parties best.

In all honesty, Wenger shouldn't be focused on the state of things between the sticks. Instead, he must make adding greater talent up front his priority.

Without a more efficient attack next season, it won't matter what's going on in midfield or at the back. Arsenal still won't get any closer to the title.