Arsenal target Lucas Perez has been given permission to withdraw from Deportivo La Coruna's squad to face Real Betis on Friday night ahead of a potential move to the Gunners.
Standard Sport reported earlier on Thursday that Arsenal were set to hijack Everton’s move for Deportivo striker Lucas Perez.
Everton indicated they will meet the 27-year-old’s £17million release clause, but Perez is believed to be holding out for a move to a Champions League club.
Deportivo released a statement on Thursday evening which read: "The striker Lucas Perez will not fly to Seville, with permission of the club."
The Gunners’ priority in this window remains a centre-back, with Villarreal’s Mateo Musacchio the latest name under consideration.
But their failed pursuit of Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy earlier this summer revealed manager Arsene Wenger’s belief a forward is also required.
Perez scored 17 goals in La Liga last season and although he has been offered a new contract to stay at the club — increasing his size of his release clause fee in the process — it is believed he sees his future away from the club.
