Arsenal close in on £17m La Liga striker

Arsenal are closing in on the £17 million signing of Spanish striker Lucas Perez, according to reports in Spain.

El Confidencial it reporting that Arsenal’s hunt for a new striker could finally be about to bear fruit, as the Gunners are closing in on the £17 million capture of Deportivo la Corñua marksman Lucas Perez.

Arsenal have been chasing attacking reinforcements all summer, with Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy their primary target.

The Gunners triggered Vardy’s contractual release clause when they made a £20 million bid for the 29-year-old in June. But after some deliberation, Vardy elected to remain at the King Power Stadium this summer ahead of the Foxes first ever Champions League campaign.

Arsene Wenger then turned his attention to Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuían. The former Real Madrid player broke the all-time single season scoring record in Serie A last season when he netted 36 times to help Napoli finish runners-up to Juventus. Arsenal offered Napoli a player plus cash deal which would have sen Olivier Giroud move to Naples, but the Partenopei rejected the bid, and Higuain has since signed for Juventus after the Old Lady paid his €90 million release clause.

But it now seems that Wenger has secured a new striker in Lucas Perez. The 27-year-old Spaniard scored 17 goals in 37 games for Deportivo last season.