Arsenal set to beat Everton to signing of Lucas Pérez from Deportivo la Coruña

Lucas, who scored 17 goals last season and opened his account for this season with the winner against Elbar last Friday, has a buy-out clause of about £17m written into his contract at the Riazor. Everton had been prepared to meet that amount and had even agreed personal terms in principle with the 27-year-old, only for Arsenal to emerge late as suitors.

Negotiations between the clubs and player are understood to be under way in Spain, with Arsenal confident the move will be confirmed before the weekend. Arsène Wenger had been targeting the addition of a central defender in what remains of the window, but moved for Lucas after Saturday's goalless draw at the champions, Leicester City, having seen interest in Jamie Vardy and Alexandre Lacazette come to nothing earlier in the summer.

Lucas, who began his career at Atlético Madrid, can operate through the centre or on the flank having established his credentials over spells at Rayo Vallecano, Karpaty Lviv in Ukraine, PAOK Salonika in Greece and, initially on loan in 2014, at Deportivo la Coruña. He signed a four-year deal at the Spanish club last summer.

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Photograph: Cabalar/EPA