Arsenal star Lucas Perez is wanted by Newcastle

That's according to The Sun who reckon Toon chief Rafa Benitez is keen to snap up Spanish forward.

Perez, 28, had a frustrating debut season at Arsenal having joined from Deportivo for £17m just 12 months ago.

It's suggested he wants a return to his former stomping ground - but Newcastle might be able to convince him otherwise.

Having snapped up Alexandre Lacazette for a club-record fee, Arsenal are willing to let Perez leave.

However, The Sun say the Gunners would prefer to offload him permanently rather than on loan.

Newcastle have cash to splash having returned to the Premier League.

And they could be in a position to offer Arsenal more money than Deportivo for Perez.

Benitez is also ready to make him top dog in the Newcastle attacking pecking order in a bid to lure him north.

The Sun say Benitez is equally keen on Liverpool forward Danny Ings.

But acrimony surrounding the Toon's pursuit of Kop ace Sheyi Ojo has put a spanner in the works.