PL news : Lucas Perez keen to stay and fight for his place

According to a report in the Independent, Arsenal forward Perez is keen to stay with the Gunners and fight for his place under new boss Unai Emery.

Perez has been linked with an exit over the course of the summer with interest from both Lazio and Sporting Lisbon, with Arsenal being ready to make a loss on the Spanish forward.

The forward was signed for around £17m by former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger back in 2016 from Deportivo La Coruna. Perez then made his debut for the Gunners in a 2-1 home win against Southampton in the September of the 16/17 season.

In his debut season, Perez made a total of 21 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven times. However, he was limited to 11 Premier League appearances and scored one goal.

Reports in Portugal this weekend claimed that Arsenal were ready to accept a significant loss on the player, with a cut-price £4.4m deal with Sporting Lisbon said to be nearing completion.

But as reported in the Independent, Perez is keen to stay and force his way into Unai Emery’s plans.

Arsenal have cleared some of their, so-called, fringe players this season with Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshire both leaving the club. And with a current wealth of attacking talent in Aubameyang, Lacazette, Welbeck, Perez could still well be surplus to requirements at the Emirates.

Emery has said that more fringe players are likely to head out the exit door ahead of Arsenal’s opening match against last season’s champions Manchester City next weekend.

“My focus is on the first match and preparing, and not for the window and the possibility to sign another player.”

“Maybe we need some players to leave because we have lots in the squad, but at the moment, my one focus is on our work.”

Whether Perez will leave Arsenal, or stay and fight for his place for the new season remains to be seen but with the Premier League summer transfer window closing on Thursday at 5pm we won’t have to wait long to find out. - Read Sport