Club president opens up on chase for Arsenal forward

Matt Stead

The president of Deportivo La Coruna says that he is “convinced” Lucas Perez will return from Arsenal in the near future.

Perez joined the Gunners from Deportivo for around £18million last summer, but has been given scarce opportunities to impress in north London.

The striker featured just 22 times for the club, but scored eight goals and assisted a further six in all competitions.

Perez is intent on leaving this summer with Arsenal courting a number of other strikers, and Deportivo president Tino Fernandez admits a potential return would appeal to the club.

“I would like for Lucas to return,” Fernandez told Marca. “I’ve never hidden the fact that if we could [bring him back], we would. If we can do it this year, we will; if not, it will be next year. I’m convinced that he [Perez] will return to Deportivo one day.

“It’s not easy. He has a big contract and he is at a club that paid a lot of money for him.”