Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Lucas Perez will leave the Arsenal this summer.
The Spaniard joined the Gunners last summer but will depart after 12 months – either on loan or in a permanent deal – following Alexandre Lacazette’s arrival.
Perez is keen on returning to former club Deportivo La Coruna and when questioned on whether the forward would leave, Wenger said: “Yes because we have a congestion of strikers. I don’t like to lose him because, for me, he’s a top-quality striker but we have many strikers.
“At some stage, too much competition is not competition anymore. You cannot give the chance to everybody, so if he finds a satisfying solution at least for a short time, he will do it.”
Deportivo La Coruna last week submitted a £9m offer for Lucas but Arsenal are holding out for £13.4m.
Newcastle are also interested and are believed to prefer a loan deal.
Meanwhile, Alexandre Lacazette is expected to start in the Community Shield clash at Wembley on Sunday.
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Mesut Ozil did not take play a full part in open training at Emirates Stadium on Thursday – a session planned as part of the club’s Members’ Day – but is expected to shake off an ankle problem to be fit for the meeting with Chelsea.
Aaron Ramsey was absent due to a muscular injury but he is also set to be fit for Wembley.
