Arsenal are set to beat Everton to the signing of Deportivo’s Lucas Perez, according to reports.
Everton had done all the groundwork on Lucas Perez Martinez & sorted deal with Deportivo – but Arsenal came in with late interest.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) August 25, 2016
The Blues were confident of getting a deal done after they had triggered the Spaniard’s release clause of £17million but Arsenal have swooped in at the last second to scupper the deal and will look to push through with their own.
Everton are looking for a striker to provide cover for Romelu Lukaku after Ronald Koeman adjudged both Arouna Kone and Oumar Niasse to be subject to requirements. Kone did score two against Yeovil on Tuesday but that may still not be enough to convince the Dutchman he is the man for the job.
Last season, Perez impressed suitors by scoring 17 goals in 36 league games, assisting 11 times in the process. His goal scoring form left him only behind some of Europe’s elite in the chart.
Perez has continued his goal scoring form into this season, scoring twice on the opening day of the 2016/17 season, in a 2-1 win over Eibar at the weekend.
