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

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.

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.