Arsenal forward hands in formal transfer request

Daniel Storey

Lucas Perez has handed in a formal transfer request to Arsenal.

Perez was signed last summer for £17m, but failed to break into Arsene Wenger’s first-team plans.

Wenger originally said that Perez would not be leaving this summer, but on Thursday conceded that the Spaniard would be departing.

Arsenal are refusing to let Perez leave for less than £13.4m, a price tag that has reportedly put off a number of clubs.

“€15m (£13.4m) is an expensive price,” Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle, Perez’s agent, said.

“Lucas wants to go to the World Cup and be happy at a place where he has opportunities to play.”

His client has now reacted by handing in the transfer request, which may help to lower price.

Perez played just 265 minutes in the Premier League last season, scoring one goal.

Arsenal Lucas Perez