Arsenal could and should move for the highly-rated Everton star.
According to The Sun, Everton boss Ronald Koeman wants to bring Arsenal striker Lucas Perez to Goodison Park this summer.
The 28-year-old is thought to be fed up in North London after starting just two Premier League games last season following a £17 million switch last summer.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger could and probably should be willing to let the Spaniard join Everton – but only if the Toffees accept a player-plus-cash deal in exchange for midfielder Ross Barkley.
Gunners ace Santi Cazorla is expected to miss most of next season and Barkley could fill that void perfectly.
The 23-year-old is contracted to Everton for another 12 months and negotiations over an extension are said to have reached an impasse, meaning that Koeman must sell this summer or risk losing him for free next year.
The Mail reported last month that the Merseyside outfit are demanding £50 million for one of their prized assets, a wholly unreasonable figure given how Barkley has a year to go on his existing deal.
Realistically, Everton would find it tough to reject a £30 million offer, but adding Perez – who scored a Champions League hat-trick in December, despite a disappointing first season in North London overall – into the mix could mean that Wenger could do a deal for around £20 million.
The French manager, who agreed a two-year extension this week, has a £100 million warchest this summer (The Sun) and bringing Barkley in, under that arrangement, would leave plenty left over to continue rebuilding his squad.
With Barkley’s profile and talent, it would be one of, if not the, best deals to happen in England this summer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
