PL Club unwilling to pay £13.4m asking price for Arsenal striker

According to reports, Arsenal want £13.4m for unsettled Lucas Perez as he looks set to exit the Emirates just a year after joining them from La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna.

Perez, 28, played just 22 matches in all competitions last term, and although injuries didn’t help, he was often ignored by manager Arsene Wenger amid strong competition for starting shirt.

Despite the fact that he did make an impression when he featured for the Gunners, it wasn’t enough to seal more regular playing time, and that has led to the situation he’s in now.

As per Evening Standard, the Gunners have valued him at £13.4m, and although Premier League returnee Newcastle United have joined the race to sign him, they’re not yet prepared to match his price tag, which is below the £17m Arsenal paid for him a year ago.

It’s thought that Newcastle United coach Rafa Benitez lodged his interest in the Arsenal striker last week but no official bid has been tabled, and the newly promoted team are said to prefer a loan move.

Having netted 17 goals in 37 matches the season before last for La Liga club Deportivo to warrant his transfer to Emirate Stadium, a return to Spain may well be the most reasonable option for him, especially if he desires to make the squad for the FIFA World Cup next summer.