The jet-heeled Arsenal striker seems to impress every time he plays. Everton will have made note of that.
After majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri had his ambitions clipped by a somewhat underwhelming summer, the Liverpool Echo reported that the Everton supremo had some rather testing questions for new Director of Football and transfer market guru Steve Walsh.
After all, Everton had seemingly been on the verge of signing Deportivo’s lung-busting talisman Lucas Perez after triggering his £17 million release clause, only for the striker to jilt The Toffees after being enticed by Arsenal’s offer of European football.
A year on, however, and Walsh and Everton could have a shot at redemption. The Daily Mail reports that Everton remain interested in the 28-year-old Spaniard after doubts emerged about his long-term Arsenal future.
The striker’s agent, Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle, was quoted as saying that his client was determined to leave The Emirates ‘at all costs’ though, according to the Daily Mail, he has now refuted those claims, insisting instead that Lucas is eager to make an impact with The Gunners – though there’s no guarantee he will be handed that chance.
The ‘Spanish Jamie Vardy’ may have netted a Champions League hat-trick against Basel and a stunning volley against Bournemouth but Monday’s goalscoring outing at Sutton United was only his ninth start of the season in all competitions – two of which have come in the Premier League.
Arsene Wenger stated after the game that Lucas warrants more opportunities but, with Goal reporting that he is determined to secure regular first-team action to fulfil his 2018 World Cup dream, Everton cannot be discounted from the equation.
And this represents an ideal opportunity for former Leicester City talentspotter Walsh to rectify a major shortfall of the summer window. Everton must prove that they can attract top talents to Goodison Park and convincing Lucas that he is better off leaving The Emirates would speak volumes of their ambition.
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