Arsenal have missed out on a deal for Tammy Abraham.
The Gunners had been linked with a move for the 23-year-old in recent weeks as manager Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his attacking options ahead of the summer transfer window closing on August 31.
However, in a blow for the Spaniard and Arsenal, it has been announced that Abraham has completed a move to AS Roma with Chelsea receiving a reported £34m fee.
Abraham has put pen-to-paper on a five-year contract with the Serie A side and is looking forward to a new challenge in Italy after being handed the No.9 shirt.
“You can sense when a club really wants you – and Roma made their interest clear immediately,” he told the club’s website.
“Roma is a club that deserves to be fighting for titles and trophies. I’ve had the experience of winning major trophies and I want to be in those competitions again – so I want to help this team to achieve that and get to the level where Roma should be.
“It’s a massive honour to be the No. 9 at this club and I just can’t wait to get started and to help the team.”
With Abraham no longer an option, some Arsenal fans have urged technical director Edu to turn his attentions to another Premier League striker.
Judging by the reaction on social media, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has emerged as a popular choice for some Gunners supporters who feel he could be the perfect striker for Arteta.
Take a look at what’s been said on Twitter…
@OrangeDecemMan said: “Now I want Arsenal to sign the boyhood Gunners fan Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Everton fast after the club missing out on Tammy Abraham!”
@DamagedGuns said: “Give me Dominic Calvert-Lewin and we are talking. Can’t think of a better player for Arsenal’s system. Young, English, proven and good on the headers and holding up. Would be a massive upgrade on Lacazette and a much better player than Abraham. Let’s hope we get this done.”
@TweetRafin said: “Dominic Calvert-Lewin to @Arsenal. DCL had 42 G/A in the last two seasons. Will thrive for KT/Chambers cross. Only 24yo. Homegrown.”
The transfer window is in full swing and things are beginning to ramp up with Edu and Mikel Arteta’s dealings at the Emirates.
By signing up to our newsletter here, you’ll be kept up to date on the latest news and rumours as they break, all in one place. You’ll also receive exclusive insight and articles from club writers Chris Wheatley and Kaya Kaynak, plus a daily transfer round-up of all the day’s rumours and news, all for free!
We also want to hear from you. Create an account here in just a few moments, so you can have your say on all things Arsenal, join the debate and take part in exclusive Q&As as well.
The Gunners have signed Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White so far this summer, and fans’ hopes of Calvert-Lewin becoming signing number four largely depends on one particular player sale.
As reported by football.london, Arsenal would like to sign a striker this summer amid links to Lautaro Martinez and also the aforementioned interest in Abraham.
However, they are unlikely to be able to bring in a new striker without moving on Alexandre Lacazette first.
Despite links to the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan, Monaco and Atletico Madrid, the 30-year-old’s near £200,000 per week wages could prove to be a stumbling block, but his potential departure could spark a transfer domino effect.