Arsenal are reportedly battling Juventus to sign £17million-rated Macedonia striker Goran Pandev.

The 25-year-old has told Lazio he needs a new challenge after five years in Rome and the Gunners are said to have joined the race for his signature.

Last month he was linked to Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Liverpool, while Bayern Munich and Fiorentina are now also reported to be interested.

On the move: Goran Pandev on international duty with Macedonia

With so much interst, Lazio will demand around £17m for a player who scored 15 goals in 37 games and won the Coppa Italia this season.

But his agent Leonardo Corsi suggests offers around £13.5m might get his man. Juventus’s would step up their interest if France striker David Trezeguet departs, as expected.

Pandev told Sky Italia: ‘My cycle with Lazio is over. I want to find other motivations and go and play for another team.

‘I have spoken to (club president Claudio) Lotito and I explained to him the situation. The president wasn’t happy.

‘He still doesn’t believe that I want to go away, but I am finished with Lazio. I hope Lotito finds a solution that makes us all happy.

Pointing the way: Juventus are likely to be looking for a replacement for David Trezeguet

‘I have spent five wonderful years with Lazio. I have improved a lot and I always behaved well.

‘In the last few months I wasn’t all that focused. I thought Lotito would ask me to renew my contract and now I have decided to go away.’

Corsi added: ‘(Lazio) understand but obviously do not want to sell their prize asset. If there is a team willing to meet Lazio’s financial demands, maybe they will let him leave.

‘They retain a very good relationship and mutual respect, as has always been the case.

‘For our part, the decision is not based on economic reasons – not least because the chairman has done all he can in that respect – but rather for sporting reasons.

‘He wants a change and to test himself in a fresh environment after growing comfortable in his many years at this one particular club.

‘Having said all that, it is important that we find a club of the same stature as Lazio. There are several teams interested, but no concrete offers as yet. When we do receive offers, the player will evaluate his options.’