According to a report in the Daily Star, Arsenal are preparing a surprise bid of £65m to tempt Everton striker, Romelu Lukaku, to join them ahead of other interested rivals across Europe.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of top strikers in recent seasons but the lack of attacking acquisitions has led to criticism in the way they spend their money.

Lukaku has been at Everton since a successful loan move under Roberto Martinez in the 2013/14 campaign. They signed him on a permanent deal from parent club Chelsea for a club-record transfer fee of £28m the following summer.

He has continued to excel as experience has made him more of a complete striker and he scores goals with regularity. However, he has publicly expressed his desire to compete in the UEFA Champions League, meaning an exit from Goodison Park seems inevitable.

Everton manager, Ronald Koeman, is keen to keep his key players at the club but after a topsy-turvy first campaign on Merseyside, but understands that bigger sides are on the prowl for both Lukaku and creative midfielder, Ross Barkley.

According to the report, Arsenal don’t see Lukaku as a replacement for Alexis Sánchez, as they themselves are eager to retain their talisman.

A transfer offer in the region of £65m is likely to give Everton a genuine headache but many are skeptical that the club would break their record fee in this manner. If they did so, whilst further improving this summer, it’d be an effective signal of intent to rivals whilst critics would be silenced.

If they are to act, they need to do it quickly.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in a move for the Belgian given Diego Costa’s uncertain future.

Manchester United are also on the lookout for a top-level striker and he fits the bill.