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Arsenal transfer news: Gunners 'agree' Lucas Perez deal as Shkodran Mustafi told he can leave Valencia

The latest transfer news and speculation surrounding the Emirates Stadium

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 25 August 2016 12:00 BST

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Arsenal Transfer News 25/08

Arsenal appear to have won the race to sign striker Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna, fending off interest from fellow Premier League side Everton to land the 27-year-old forward.

According to reports in Spain, Arsene Wenger has finally got his hands on a striker after reportedly agreeing a £17m deal to sign the Spaniard from Deportivo. The Toffees were reported to have agreed personal terms with the striker, but the move has been put on hold after Arsenal moved to sign Lucas.

With Arsenal desperate to sign a new striker as well as a defender, Wenger appears to have sanctioned the move after seeing numerous bids fall for other transfer targets. Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy turned down Arsenal to sign a new contract with the reigning Premier League champions, while Arsenal failed to persuade both Napoli and Lyon into selling Alexandre Lacazette.

While many fans will be unaware of the Deportivo striker, Lucas does at least boast an impressive record in Spain. He has scored 18 goals in La Liga since joining Deportivo permanently from Greek side PAOK, and has also represented Rayo Vallecano during his career.

Arsenal are also being linked with a move for Manchester United defender Phil Jones, although the rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Wenger looks likely to end any chance of a deal this summer with the United manager determined not to sell directly to his old rival.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Show all 12

1/12Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Alexandre Lacazette

The Frenchman scored 21 goals for Ligue 1 side Lyon last season and has since emerged as hot property within the European market. West Ham have already had their two offers for the 25-year-old rejected and Arsenal were reported to have joined the race for his signature. But despite indications that they were prepared to pay the £34.2m fee that will trigger talks with the player, Lyon club president recently revealed that the Gunners have yet to make a bid for the forward. Could Arsenal be biding their time?

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Ricardo Rodriguez

The Wolfsburg left-back has said he expects to leave the club this summer and that it would be “exciting” to join Switzerland teammate Granit Xhaka at Arsenal. Rodriguez, 23, has a €25 million release clause in his contract and the Gunners have recently been tipped as forerunners to sign the Swiss defender.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Julian Draxler

According to recent reports, Arsenal launched a £43m bid for the German player as speculation continues to mount about his future at Wolfsburg. The Gunners are looking to bolster their striking options to aid striker Olivier Giroud and Arsene Wenger is known to be an admirer of Draxler, having targeted the winger last summer. The former Schalke star scored ten goals last season since his move to the Volkswagen Arena.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Nevan Subotic

With many urging coach Arsene Wenger to bring in a new centre-back, Borussia Dortmund’s Neven Subotic could be the answer. The 27-year-old has only made six appearances in the Bundesliga for Dortmund this past season and has reportedly been given permission to miss training in order to discuss his future. Costing an expected £14m, Arsenal are reportedly contemplating making a move for the player in what would be a fantastic bit of business given his quality and relatively low price-tag.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Romelu Lukaku

The Belgium international looks destined to leave Goodison Park this summer after stating his desire to play Champions League football next season. Arsenal could be the club to offer him that as Arsene Wenger continues to search for a striker having been snubbed by Leicester’s Jamie Vardy. Ray Parlour urged his former club to sign the forward, arguing that the side needs “someone of the calibre of a Sergio Aguero or a Luis Suarez.” The Emirates hierarchy is reportedly keen on bringing in him but Everton’s £50m price-tag could prove to be a sticking point.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Alvaro Morata

Arsenal were one of the many sides linked to Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata after the Spaniard recently returned to the Bernabeu. Reports seemed to suggest that Real Madrid had brought back the striker in order to sell him on for a profit and Arsenal had emerged as favourites at one point to sign him. However, valued at around £65m, the striker may prove out of Wenger’s price range while other reports suggest Madrid will now be keeping hold of the striker.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

N’Golo Kante

After failing to prise Jamie Vardy away from the King Power Stadium, Arsene Wenger seems to have turned his attention to another Leicester City gem. The French manager has publicly praised his fellow countryman in recent weeks, describing him as “One of the revelations of the French team”. Whether Gunners decide to make a formal bid for the 25-year-old remains to be seen but there’s no doubting the midfield dynamo would slot nicely into the Arsenal outfit.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Gonzalo Higuain

The former Real Madrid striker has been repeatedly linked with a move to north London but the transfer has failed to materialise in the past. In an encouraging turn of events for fans, Higuain’s agent has allegedly made contact with Arsenal who are potentially interested in trying again to bring the Argentinian to the Emirates. Higuain scored 36 Serie A goals in 35 appearances for Napoli last season, breaking a league record in the process. The striker would be the perfect addition to Arsenal’s front-line.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Moussa Sissoko

After impressing at Euro 2016 for France, Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko has been linked with a move away from the Teesside club to the Emirates. The 26-year-old failed to prevent Newcastle from slipping into the Championship last season and was subject to widespread criticism for his underwhelming performances. But after finding his form in France, Arsenal have now emerged as favourites to sign the £35m-rated midfielder.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Stevan Jovetic

A number of British and foreign media outlets have linked Inter Milan’s Stevan Jovetic with a move to the Emirates this summer. Reports suggest the forward won’t be a part of Roberto Mancini’s plans at the San Siro despite joining the club on a permanent basis with the club following an 18-month loan stint in Milan. Following a flurry of rumours mid-June, Arsenal’s links to Jovetic have dropped off somewhat in recent weeks.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Arda Turan

Barcelona are reportedly willing to offload midfield misfit Arda Turan for as little as £23m this summer. Turan has underwhelmed for the Catalan giants who are apparently looking to cut their losses on the Turkey international. According to Marca, Arsenal may be prepared to take the midfielder, who spent much of last season largely on the bench, off Barcelona’s hands.

Arsenal's summer transfer targets for 2016/17

Antoine Griezmann

Questionable this one, admittedly, but there have been some whispers on the grape vine. The Arsenal boss was spotted chatting to the Frenchman during Sunday night’s final but, given the context, it’s hard to imagine Wenger was attempting to persuade the player to move to Arsenal. The chances of Griezmann making the switch are, well, pretty slim. The Atletico Madrid player is committed to the club until 2021 and rumours suggest he has a release clause set at €100m. There’s no harm in dreaming, though.

The Evening Standard reports that 24-year-old Jones is being considered by the Gunners as they continue their hunt for a new centre-back, with talks for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi reaching a stalemate after Valencia insisted they do not want to sell him.

Arsenal do have other options to target, though one of those is believed to Jones and should Arsenal follow up interest in the England international, it is likely to be met with an immediate rejection. Wenger is reported to believe that Southampton’s Jose Fonte will join United by next Wednesday’s transfer deadline, paving the way for Jones to leave the club.

However, Mourinho’s fractious relationship with Wenger will lead to the Portuguese personally rejecting any offer from the north London club, and Jones has also been told that he is part of Mourinho’s plans even though he signed £30m Eric Bailly from Villarreal during the summer.

Arsenal could yet find success in their long-winded pursuit of Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi though, with Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol claiming that the Germany international met with his agent and officials from the Spanish club to discuss a move to the Emirates. It’s claimed that Mustafi will be sold for less than his release clause, providing Arsenal make a large enough bid to strike a deal.

Solhekol adds that the north London club believe a £26m offer could persuade Valencia into selling.

The Telegraph adds that Arsenal are also monitoring Villarreal’s Mateo Musacchio and Roma’s Kostas Manolas, should they fail in their efforts to sign Mustafi. However, Arsenal’s scattergun approach has done little to convince fans that their transfer policy is adequate enough for a Premier League title-challenging side.

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