West Ham target frustrated Arsenal forward

West Ham United are prepared to offer a fresh challenge to out-of-favour Arsenal striker Lucas Perez. The Spanish footballer is disgruntled by the lack of playing time since arriving at the Emirates last summer.

Perez, 28, joined the Gunners from Deportivo La Coruna in August 2016 following an impressive 17-goal season in La Liga.

However, he has since failed to establish himself as a first-team regular with manager Arsene Wenger offering him just two starts in the Premier League to date.

Perez is understood to have the ambition of representing Spain in the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, but it appears that his dream could be shortlived as he has yet to earn a maiden call-up with the national side.

Italian giants AC Milan have been credited with an interest in recent weeks, but according to The Times, the Hammers have approached Arsenal over the possibility of Perez switching to east London next summer.

Despite his limited gametime, Perez has managed to earn his admirers this season with a hat-trick against Basel in the Champions League being the standout moment.