Perez close to Arsenal exit with Deportivo return

 

Deportivo La Coruna have made an offer to re-sign Lucas Perez from Arsenal, according to the player’s agent.

 

Perez has expressed his desire to leave Arsenal just 12 months after joining Arsene Wenger’s side in a £17m deal.

 

The Spaniard was left furious after Arsenal decided to give new club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette his No.9 shirt for the coming season and is determined to leave the north London outfit this summer.

 

Deportivo have reportedly made a bid in the region of £9m for the 28-year-old and are even willing to offer their youth product a staggering 10-year contract.

 

Perez’s agent, Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle, has confirmed the Spanish side have made an offer worth more than what Sevilla paid Manchester City to sign Nolito last week.

 

“I’m here [in London] to see the Emirates Cup and to be with Lucas,” he told the Press Association. “We have talked to everyone. Arsenal know we want to go, that there are no opportunities here, and within a year there is a World Cup.

 

“Would you not be angry and sad and upset if you had your squad number taken without being asked?

 

“Deportivo made an offer a week ago. It is a permanent deal and worth more than Nolito’s move to Sevilla. Of course [he was told he would play more]. Lucas signed for Arsenal and was the happiest person in the world and with all his dreams to fulfil.

 

“We have seen that every time he played he did well, but after every time he got fewer and fewer opportunities.”

 

Perez close to Arsenal exit with Deportivo return

 

Perez only made 11 appearances in the Premier League last season but was limited to just two starts. Opportunities weren’t forthcoming in the Champions League either, but he still managed to play a direct hand in five goals in Europe for the Gunners (three goals, two assists).

 

In fact, no player played a direct hand in a Champions League goal more frequently than Perez last season (1 every 27.2 minutes of action).