Arsenal accept Sporting CP bid for Lucas Perez

As per a report from Portuguese outlet A Bola, Premier League outfit Arsenal have accepted a bid from Sporting CP for striker Lucas Perez.

Struggles

After arriving at the Emirates from La Liga outfit Deportivo La Coruna in August of 2016, Perez, with his excellent movement and eye for goal, was viewed by many Arsenal fans as a possible answer to the club’s long-standing problems at centre-forward.

However, this has since proven far from the case, with the Spaniard having managed just 21 appearances across all competitions during his debut season in North London.

Despite coming off the bench for the majority of his performances, Perez managed a respectable 7 goals for the Gunners over the course of the 2016/17 campaign, as well as chipping in with a number of assists.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 28: Lucas Perez of Arsenal in action during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary’s Stadium on January 28, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

However, following Alexandre Lacazette’s arrival at the club from Lyon last summer, Perez was deemed surplus to requirements by then-Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, leading to a season-long stint in La Liga with Deportivo La Coruna.

And Perez went on to rediscover much of his brilliant best whilst at the Estadio Riazor, racking up 8 goals and 6 assists in 35 league outings, an impressive record considering Depor were eventually relegated to the Spanish Segunda.

Primeira Liga

As such, with Perez having reportedly once again been made available for transfer for the right price this summer, a number of clubs around Europe are said to be expressing an interest in the striker’s services.

And, as per the aforementioned update from A Bola this afternoon, the 29-year-old now looks set for a permanent departure from the Emirates, amid claims that Arsenal have accepted an offer of 5 million Euro from Portuguese giants Sporting CP for his signature.

New Gunners’ boss Unai Emery is attempting to whittle down his squad to raise funds for further signings, with Perez just one of a number of potential departures from North London before next week’s English transfer deadline.

Arsenal vs Lazio live streaming: Watch online, preview & prediction

Fernando Polo: Barcelona continue to push for Man United’s Paul Pogba