Everton are reportedly ready to sell Dominic Calvert-Lewin, handing Arsenal a major boost in their pursuit of the striker.
The 25-year-old has been one of a host of No.9s linked with a move to north London during the summer transfer window, as Mikel Arteta looks to find a long-term solution up front.
Following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 's deadline-day departure to Barcelona in the January transfer window, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah were left as the only remaining strikers, but they are both out of contract in June.
It means the Gunners now have set their sights on a replacement, with Calvert-Lewin now looking more likely to be that man.
With Frank Lampard 's team hovering just three points and one place above the Premier League relegation zone, the Sun claim that the Toffees are prepared to cash in on their star striker this summer, whose deal at Goodison Park runs until 2025.
And while Arsenal have been named a potential suitor, West Ham United are also keen on the England international.
Despite a drop-off in form this season due to injuries and Everton's plight, Calvert-Lewin remains one of the Premier League's most sought-after marksmen after 16 goals in 33 appearances last term.
Having recently returned from injury, the ex- Sheffield United starlet will be hoping to provide more strikes to steer Lampard and co clear of the drop.
While West Ham certainly seems another sensible upgrade for Calvert-Lewin at present, the lure of the Emirates - potentially including Champions League football - could be too powerful. Arteta is assessing other options, though, with the Gunners also believed to be monitoring Real Sociedad 's Alexander Isak.
The La Liga starlet, 22, has also endured a difficult campaign after a strong season last time out, boasting only one more league goal than Calvert-Lewin, in spite of playing 14 more games thanks to fewer enforced absences.
Isak has been in action over the international break, registering an assist as Sweden beat the Czech Republic 1-0 in extra-time of their World Cup play-off semi-final.
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Isak's side will face Poland in Chorzow on Tuesday for a place at the tournament in Qatar later this year and it could be the ideal opportunity for Arteta to see how the youngster performs on a big stage, having openly discussed Arsenal's desire to sign a striker to lead the line for years to come.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Gunners boss even laid out what would be required of whichever striker they sign, declaring: "He puts the ball in the net, that's priority number one. Goal threat.
"Any successful team needs enough goal threat in the squad. Without it, you have nothing. You can play good football but you need enough goal threat in the team.
"The other thing is that he has to complement the other people we have, personally and on the pitch, and for that, we need the right profile.
"We need a profile where you can exploit his qualities at the same time as the qualities we already have, so we don’t have to transform our way of playing again to adapt to that specific player. He has to have a certain age, a certain level of experience, and he has to be able to come here and play under the pressure of being at Arsenal."
