Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Romelu Lukaku, Alvaro Morata Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly in talks to sign striker Romelu Lukaku from Premier League rivals Everton, as manager Arsene Wenger steps up his efforts to upgrade his options at striker ahead of the new season.

According to Italian source TuttoMercatoWeb (h/t David Wright of the Daily Express), the Gunners are already talking about a deal for a forward who won't be allowed to leave the Toffees for less than £31 million.

Yet it's not certain whether Lukaku will turn his back on Everton this summer. His agent, Mino Raiola, indicated his client might stay on Merseyside to Belgian newspaper Sportwereld (h/t Press Association, via the Daily Mail).

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Belgium team-mate Eden Hazard recently expressed how he's unsure what Lukaku will do next, according to Sky Sports News HQ (h/t Nick Lustig of Sky Sports).

Lukaku has the attributes the Gunners lacked up front at times last season. He boasts the pace, power and coolness as a finisher to be an upgrade on inconsistent target man Olivier Giroud.

Still only 23, Lukaku proved his growing talent as a lethal finisher during a 2015/16 campaign in which he hit 25 goals for Everton across all competitions, per WhoScored.com.

A young striker this prolific would be more than welcome for a team that's struggled to replace Robin van Persie since selling him to Manchester United in 2012.

Wenger may need a contingency plan if his proposed bid for Leicester City's primary goal-getter Jamie Vardy collapses. BBC Sport's David Ornstein believes the move for the Foxes man has already fallen flat:

But Vardy isn't the only striker target Wenger may be crossing off his list.

Gunners Put Off by Alvaro Morata Fee

Arsenal are also ready to back out of any potential move for Alvaro Morata after the Spaniard rejoined Real Madrid from Juventus. Los Blancos confirmed their decision to activate Morata's buy-back clause via their official site.

Yet Real are still ready to sell Morata for a major profit, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror: "Real Madrid have slapped a staggering £60m price tag on Alvaro Morata. It has already scared off Arsenal who believe that is way too much and it could leave a straight fight between Manchester United and Chelsea."

The fee discussed is too steep for a striker who remains generally unproven, despite his obvious natural talent. Morata has pace, aerial power and excellent technique for a big man, but he scored just seven Serie A goals for Juve last season, per ESPN FC.

In fairness, he's still only 23, and there are signs Morata is developing as a finisher. He's already found the net more than once for Spain at UEFA Euro 2016, per the tournament's official site:

Still, it could reasonably be argued Lukaku is more the finished article than Morata right now.

The finished article is something Arsenal need at the focal point of attack if they are going to be legitimate title contenders in the new season.