Arsenal set to beat Everton to Lucas Perez Martinez signing

Arsene Wenger is set to finally secure much-needed centre-back and striker reinforcements after Arsenal reportedly wrapped up deals to sign Deportivo striker Lucas Perez and Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi.

It would be a disappointment for Everton manager Ronald Koeman and director of football Steve Walsh, who is a long-time admirer of the Spaniard.

It is understood a £17million bid would activate the 27-year-old’s release clause but it now appears as if Everton will have to turn their attention to other targets, as Perez is destined for the Emirates Stadium.

Koeman, meanwhile, is determined bring in another striker as support and competition for Lukaku, who had been strongly linked with a return to former club Chelsea but has now chose to stay at Everton.

The report adds that Lucas will sign with Arsenal in the next few hours and once the transfer is completed, will look for a replacement to bolster Gaizka Garitano’s squad.

Lucas Perez could be on his way to England as Arsenal and Everton fight it out to get their hands on the striker.

Arsenal’s search for a striker could end if the club accept Deportivo’s demand of paying the transfer fee in a single installment while a failure to accept their demand likely to cause the negotiations to break down.

Perez scored 17 times in 37 La Liga games for the Spanish side last term in what was his best return for a single season in his career so far.