Arsenal transfer news: Lucas Perez's £17m deal close after Arsene Wenger's change of heart

Everton had been close to signing the striker from Deportivo La Coruna, after Arsenal did not want him, but a late change of heart means he will likely head for the Emirates next week

Arsenal are close to finalising a deal to sign Spanish striker Lucas Perez for £17million after a dramatic change of heart from Arsene Wenger.

Everton were on the brink of signing Perez from Deportivo La Coruna late last week, after agreeing to pay his release clause, and reaching a four-year deal with the player.

Arsenal had watched Perez at length last season, as he scored 17 La Liga goals for Deportivo, the best season of his career. But Arsenal were initially reluctant to spend money on a player who some at the club doubted was up to the level of competing in the Champions League and for the Premier League title.

Perez, who turns 28 next month, has never been capped by Spain and never played in the Champions League. His last season with Deportivo was the only one of his career in which he has scored more than 10 league goals. He has had spells playing in Ukraine for Karpaty Lviv and in Greece for PAOK.

Steve Walsh, Everton’s new director of football, had watched Perez last season and was initially interested late last season in signing him for Leicester City. When Walsh moved to Everton he tried to put another move together to sign the Spanish striker. Although there was interest from Sevilla and Valencia, Perez was keen to come to Goodison Park, for what would be his last chance to move to a big foreign club.