Arsenal have completed the signing of Spanish striker Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna.
The announcement of Perez, 27, is expected to be followed by the arrival of Germany international Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia as manager Arsene Wenger brings in the attacking and defensive reinforcements he targeted in the latter stages of the summer transfer window.
Perez, whose £17 million release clause was triggered by Arsenal last week, scored 17 league goals and added eight assists last season.
Perez only emerged as a late target for Wenger, who also pursued Jamie Vardy and Alexandre Lacazette in this transfer window, but the Arsenal boss is hoping the forward can replicate his breakthrough season in Spain when he comes to the Premier League.
Wenger told the club’s official website: “He’s not only a goal scorer, he’s a guy who combines well with partners, who can give a final ball and makes good runs. He’s got a good eye for goal and had an outstanding season last year.”
Perez said he was first contacted by Arsenal when the transfer window opened and was hoping that their interest would turn into a firm bid.
“As always in football, clubs have to evaluate what they need, but they showed interest when they got in contact,” Perez told the club’s official website. “Things happened more quickly towards the end of the window so it could be made official.
“I’m delighted. It’s a massive step in my career to come to a club with the history and quality that Arsenal have and be able to play in competitions like the Premier League and the Champions League. I’m very proud and happy to be here.
“I played as a striker for most of my career but I can adapt to any of the four positions across the front line. I prefer playing as a striker but I have no problem playing anywhere up front.
“I’m a pacy player. I like to link up and combine with my teammates, playing one-twos to work a shot. I don’t want to put myself in a box, I hope that the Arsenal fans can see for themselves and enjoy watching me.
“I want to show what I’m about, get stuck into playing and perform well.”
Both new players should be available for Arsenal’s next Premier League game at home to Southampton on Sept. 10. They will join Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka as the Gunners’ main signings this summer.
The deals are reportedly worth a total of £52m — with Mustafi costing £35m — bringing the club’s total spending to over £90m this summer. It’s the most money ever spent by Wenger in a transfer window, which also saw Granit Xhaka join for £30m in May.
Wenger had been searching for a striker since Danny Welbeck suffered another long-term knee injury at the end of last season, and Perez will fight with Olivier Giroud for the starting role up front for the Gunners.
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