Arsenal transfer news: With Jamie Vardy set to stay at Leicester which strikers could Arsene Wenger target in the transfer market?
Arsene Wenger still needs reinforcements as the lack of a top class striker cost the Gunners the title last season
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JAMIE VARDY appears to be staying at Leicester City - leaving Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to continue in his search for a new striker.
Only Olivier Giroud (16) and Alexis Sanchez (13) scored in double figures in the Premier League last season as the Gunners slipped from top on New Year's Day to allow Leicester City to shock the world and win the title.
Arsenal undoubtedly need reinforcements up front and Wenger will continue to scour the market for a new main man.
There are a few options on the market but all will come at a heavy price - and Wenger has been reluctant in the past to pay out big money unless he feels the deal is reasonable.
SunSport has targeted eight potential players Wenger could chase before the start of the new season.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE
The French striker has enjoyed an excellent couple of years with Lyon where he's scored 48 Ligue 1 goals in the last two seasons.
The 25-year-old is an extremely mobile front man with blistering pace, capable of scoring different types of goals with his right and left foot.
He'd be a snug fit in the Arsenal line-up, as he's not just a capable goalscorer but good at building up the play.
However, Paris Saint-Germain are interested and Lyon are believed to be holding out for a £40million fee.
France manager Didier Deschamps didn't fancy him enough to take him to Euro 2016, where current Gunners striker Olivier Giroud remains first choice.
GONZALO HIGUAIN
It would take a lot of money to bring the Argentine striker to north London but he'd be worth it.
Outspoken Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has stated on a number of occasions that he would only accept a bid that activates Higuain's release clause - a whopping £72m.
The striker is believed to want to leave the club and is attempting to renegotiate his deal to lower that clause but it does not seem Nap
Higuain had one of the best seasons ever seen from a striker in Serie A, where he scored 36 league goals, breaking a 66-year-old record for most goals in a season.
He's continued that form at the Copa America where he has two goals and an assist for an Argentina team in the semi-final.
Atletico Madrid are also chasing the striker.
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MICHY BATSHUAYI
The Belgian striker is the rawest of the talents in this group.
However, the 22-year-old's immense talent has clubs across Europe keen, with rivals Tottenham and West Ham, and Italian champions Juventus, all believed to be interested.
Batshuayi scored 17 Ligue 1 goals last season, showing excellent speed and finishing.
He has much less pedigree than the other strikers on this list and would be a bigger risk, but he'd be a cheaper option with the potential to grow into a top talent.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
The Gabonese striker will not come cheap.
Aubameyang had a stunning season at Borussia Dortmund, where he scored 40 goals in 49 matches.
He'd be the perfect fit for Arsenal, possessing great pace, movement and skills to play in a fluid front four.
However, Dortmund are desperate to keep him and he will not be leaving for anything less than what could end up a British record fee.
Manchester City are also hugely keen on the 27-year-old, with Aubameyang reported to prefer joining forces with Pep Gaurdiola at the Etihad.
Given Wenger's track record of not spending as much as he could (or should) a deal would appear unlikely.
KARIM BENZEMA
A move for Benzema has long been mooted with Wenger a known admirer of the French striker.
This deal depends on one major factor - whether Real Madrid can bring Robert Lewandowski to the Bernabeu.
If that happens then no doubt Benzema would move on with Arsenal a prime candidate for his next destination - but that's a big if.
The 28-year-old is a a truly top class talent who would transform the Arsenal forward line.
He scored 28 goals for Los Blancos last season to help the club win the Champions League.
It would cost a big fee but should Benzema come available he has to be Wenger's top target.
MAURO ICARDI
The maverick striker had a rather quiet year compared to his explosive season before.
The Inter captain scored 16 Serie A goals for a side that fell out of the title race rather quickly under Roberto Mancini.
In 2014-15 not only did he score a brilliant 27 goals in all competitions, he was also in the headlines after marrying the former wife of team-mate Maxi Lopez - who had been his best friend while the pair were at Sampdoria.
Icardi is still just 23 and could quite easily become one of the world's best.
ALVARO MORATA
Spanish Morata has become one of Europe's most wanted players this summer despite his relatively meagre goal record.
The 23-year-old scored only nine goals and started from the bench in half his matches last season, with Juventus manager Max Allegri preferring Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic up front.
However, Morata is still expected to fetch a fee of around £50m, with Real Madrid likely to buy him back for £30m and then sell him at a profit.
Manchester United and Chelsea are both interested in the striker and he seems to prefer a move to one of those two clubs ahead of Arsenal.
ROMELU LUKAKU
Arsenal haven't been linked with the Everton and Belgium striker... but why not?
In the four years since Giroud joined the Gunners he has a remarkably similar record to Lukaku in the Premier League.
The Frenchman has 57 goals in 135 Premier League games and Lukaku 60 goals in 139 in the same period.
However, crucially, Lukaku has one massive advantage over Giroud - youth.
The Arsenal striker will turn 30 in September while Lukaku just turned 23 in May. Giroud is in the middle of his peak and will soon decline due to age and wear and tear.
Lukaku has been inconsistent in his career and is arguably not worth the £65m that is being quoted for the striker, but Lukaku could easily improve into one of the best in the world.
That Arsenal are yet to be linked would appear negligent.