Arsenal confirm signing of Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna

Arsenal have completed the signing of Spanish striker Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna.

The announcement of Perez, 27, is expected to be followed by the arrival of Germany international Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia as manager Arsene Wenger brings in the attacking and defensive reinforcements he targeted in the latter stages of the summer transfer window.

Perez, whose £17 million release clause was triggered by Arsenal last week, scored 17 league goals and added eight assists last season.



Perez only emerged as a late target for Wenger, who also pursued Jamie Vardy and Alexandre Lacazette in this transfer window, but the Arsenal boss is hoping the forward can replicate his breakthrough season in Spain when he comes to the Premier League.

Wenger told the club's official website: "He's not only a goal scorer, he's a guy who combines well with partners, who can give a final ball and makes good runs. He's got a good eye for goal and had an outstanding season last year."

Both new players should be available for Arsenal's next Premier League game at home to Southampton on Sept. 10. They will join Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka as the Gunners' main signings this summer.

The deals are reportedly worth a total of £52m -- with Mustafi costing £35m -- bringing the club's total spending to over £90m this summer. It's the most money ever spent by Wenger in a transfer window, which also saw Granit Xhaka join for £30m in May.

Wenger had been searching for a striker since Danny Welbeck suffered another long-term knee injury at the end of last season, and Perez will fight with Olivier Giroud for the starting role up front for the Gunners.