West Ham United have reportedly made an offer for Arsenal outcast Lucas Perez, with the player eager to remain in the Premier League.
Arsenal are bracing themselves for the prospect of some fringe players leaving the club before the August 9 deadline as they try to trim their squad before the season begins. Among those is Spanish striker, Lucas Perez, who according to The Mirror is keen on a move to West Ham United.
West Ham have reportedly made a bid to Arsenal for the striker, and it is understood that the Gunners will accept the offer to let Perez join the Hammers. A £5 million fee is touted for the forward, who had joined the Gunners in a £17.5 million deal from Deportivo La Coruna two summers ago.
Arsenal are willing to take a massive loss on the striker, as they are more keen on trimming their squad ahead of the 2018-19 season. Just days before the West Ham interest surfaced, Perez was primed for a move to Portugal with Sporting Lisbon. But, he is keen to remain in the Premier League, and the Hammers could well be his new club.
According to his agent, Perez has many offers, mainly from Spain. But, he also suggested that the Arsenal striker is not precisely interested in moving back to his homeland. Last season, Perez returned to Deportivo on loan, where he was a key player, although the Spanish side were relegated from La Liga.
West Ham, on the other hand, decided to jump at the opportunity of signing Perez from Arsenal after backing out of a £36 million deal for Porto forward Moussa Marega. Manuel Pellegrini is looking for a striker as a deputy to Marko Arnautovic, after ruling out Andy Carroll from his plans for the season.
The former Liverpool striker has endured a torrid time with injuries and has been ruled out for a further two months with yet another setback. Pellegrini wants a reliable player, and with his other targets out of reach now, Lucas Perez would be the best-suited option for the Hammers.
Perez is also keen on staying put in the Premier League, mainly because he is used to London and wants to challenge himself with regular football, something he hasn’t got at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger, who recruited him two summers ago, was never impressed by the player and new boss Unai Emery has deemed him surplus to requirements either.
West Ham have been busy this summer, signing many big name players including the likes of Filipe Anderson from Lazio and Jack Wilshere from Arsenal, among others. Pellegrini could provide Perez with the right atmosphere to thrive in, and the striker could provide competition to Arnautovic as well as Javier Hernandez.
West Ham could be a good fit for the striker, who seeks regular football. The Hammers, with Perez’ signing, would take their summer spending to £100 million, in what has been an excellent window for them. It now remains to be seen if Perez brings his Arsenal struggles to an end by sealing a move to their London rivals ahead of the August 9 deadline.
