ARSENAL CLOSE IN ON LUCAS PEREZ

Arsenal are believed to be closing in on a deal for the signature of Everton target and Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez, according to reports.

The Merseysiders were close to landing the 27-year old having triggered his reported £17m release clause but emerging report according to Sky Sports Sports understand Arsenal’s negotiations are at a much advanced stage as the prospect of Champions League football could prove to be decisive.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has made no secret of his desire to bolster his striking options this summer, but attempts to sign Lyon star Alexandre Lacazette and Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi have failed.

Known simply as Lucas, the 27-year old is a late developer, having spent much of his early 20’s in the Spanish lower leagues playing for Atletico Madrid’s junior team.

He had loan spells at Rayo Vallecano and Karpaty Lviv in Ukraine, but kick-started his career in Greece with PAOK Thessaloniki where he scored nine goals in 32 league games.

Perez returned to Spain on loan with Deportivo, and was such a success that they signed him on a permanent deal last summer. He scored 17 goals in 36 La Liga appearances last season as The Turks finished ahead of Granada and Sportin Gijon in 15th spot