Arsenal close in on £52m double swoop – reports

Arsenal are set to announce the signing of Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna and are reportedly close to bringing in German defender Shkodran Mustafi.

Their 27-year-old attacking target, known commonly as Lucas, has emerged as a top target for Arsene Wenger as he looks to add to his ranks before the transfer window closes next week.

A deal for Mustafi has been mooted for weeks, and according to BBC Sport, an agreement between Arsenal and Valencia is not far away, with the price for the 24-year-old Germany centre-back reported to be in excess of £35million.

Lucas has also been linked with Everton, but Press Association Sport understands the Gunners are trying to clinch a deal for the former Karpaty Lviv and PAOK striker.

Having failed to lure Jamie Vardy away from Leicester and after a summer of reported interest in Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal now appear to have made a move to bolster their strike-force.

Lucas scored 17 goals and provided eight assists as Deportivo finished 15th in LaLiga last season.

Local newspaper La Voz De Galicia reported Arsenal have agreed to meet the 20 million euros (£17.1million) buy-out clause in Lucas’ contract, and that the move was hours away from completion.
Deportivo La Coruna withdrew Lucas from their squad for the trip to face Real Betis in LaLiga on Friday night.

The club said in a statement: “The striker Lucas Perez will not fly to Seville, with permission of the club.”

Arsenal have taken just one point from their opening two Premier League games, having lost 4-3 at home to Liverpool before a goalless draw against champions Leicester last weekend.

Wenger has already signed young Japan striker Takuma Asano this summer, but he confirmed the 21-year-old was now expected to be loaned out having been denied a work permit.

Alexis Sanchez has started both league games as Arsenal’s central striker, but Olivier Giroud is in line to return to the side for Saturday’s trip to Watford.