Deportivo manager Pepe Mel has confirmed the club are actively pursuing alternatives to Arsenal striker Lucas Perez as the La Liga club are aware that the Gunners will not budge on their asking price for the Spaniard.
Speaking to Madrid newspaper AS, Mel explained that the Gunners’ tough negotiation stance means there is very little chance of a deal being reached for Perez and they are pursuing “plan B” instead:
“Everyone understands that Depor wants Lucas… I know Arsenal well … they do not give away anything,especially if they have paid more before. I told the president to work hard on plan B, because it will probably be the most feasible. But of course we would be waiting with open arms for Lucas because it would make us a team with many more options.”
Arsenal signed Perez for £17million from Deportivo last summer and are likely seeking a similar figure as they attempt to sell the striker. The record signing of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon will mean the 28 year old will be limited to a handful of appearances next season, especially if Olivier Giroud also remains at the Emirates.
The striker does not have many suitors, with Fenerbahce the only other side who have seriously been linked with the player. A move later on in the transfer window is the only real possibility at the moment.
