John Barnes believes should sign Lautaro Martinez from Inter Milan this summer.
Martinez, 24, has been one of the standout performers in Serie A this season, scoring 19 goals in 33 appearances for Inter.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Argentinian as they look to fill the shoes of , who left the club to join in January.
Barnes, the former Liverpool winger, believes Martinez would be an upgrade on Eddie Nketiah and would help Arsenal get closer to the Premier League’s top two.
He told : ‘Arsenal might give Eddie Nketiah a contract. Arsenal correctly feel they need a centre forward who will be there week in, week out. They don’t believe he’s the long-term forward needed to be in the top two or three.
‘He’s part of the squad and he’s doing well at this moment in time, but it won’t make Arsenal suddenly feel they no longer need a striker.
‘They may negotiate with Nketiah but regardless of what happens there, they’ll still need a striker.
‘If they wanted him to stay, they would have offered him a contract. To be in the top two or three, they’ll need to go and get someone like Lautaro Martinez or a centre forward who will be their No.1 striker for years to come.’
Arsenal are in serious need of a striker with both Alexandre Lacazette and Nketiah’s contracts running out in the summer.
In recent weeks, the Gunners have been linked with a move for Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus but may feel a deal for Martinez is more achievable with fewer clubs tracking the Inter man.
Champions League qualification for next season will prove crucial as to whether the north London side can sign a top-level centre-forward this summer.
Arsenal currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League, a point ahead of Tottenham, with just two games to go.
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