However, the capture of Perez, who may turn out to be a good signing, arguably sums up the flawed transfer policy of Arsenal in recent seasons.
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The Gunners are dipping into the transfer market for reinforcements with centre-back Mustafi due to arrive from Valencia for €41m, while hitman Perez is to arrive from Deportivo La Coruna for €20m.
Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi are expected to complete moves to Arsenal in the coming days.
Wenger has been on the lookout for a new striker all summer and is finally close to getting his man having been frustrated in his pursuit of Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette and Juventus new boy Gonzalo Higuain.
“We are working on the deals, but we are not close enough to announce today”, Wenger said. It does remain to be seen how Mustafi and Perez fit into the Premier League, with the German centre-back considered highly promising in his homeland. “But he has gone to Sporting Lisbon and I think it’s an interesting challenge because Portugal has always a very interesting championship”. Mirror Sport understands Perez is now in advanced negotiations with Arsenal and they are very hopeful of completing the deal. “It’s not ideal for us, but”.
Lucas, who scored 17 goals last season and opened his account for this season with the victor against Elbar last Friday, has a buy-out clause of about £17m written into his contract at the Riazor. But Wenger rejected the notion that he had acted out of desperation to snap up a striker who was available because of a £17 million release clause.
He said: “Look at my face”.
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed the signing of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez, subject to the finalisation of paperwork. “If you want to go from A to B, how far can you maintain that focus, and make the right decisions?” So I expect the next three days to be very, very busy. It will be fantastic. He has since captured interest from a whole host of clubs, but the lure of Champions League football at Arsenal was too good to ignore. But Wenger said he has flourished after being converted to a striker late in his career. He has moved centrally and in a successful way. “But I think it will be announced early next week”.
