Everton are reportedly keen to sign Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez.
Deportivo striker Lucas Perez celebrates
According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Everton have told striker Lucas Perez that they will double the wages offered by his current club Deportivo La Coruna.
The Toffees are one of the most active clubs in the Premier League as next week’s transfer deadline draws ever closer, having recently completed deals for Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie.
Manager Ronald Koeman is still in the market for new faces, and another striker to compete with Romelu Lukaku appears to be a priority, given how Oumar Niassie and Arouna Kone have failed to prove themselves as goalscorers at Goodison Park.
Now, Spanish newspaper Sport report that Everton are keen to sign Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez – and are willing to pay the €20m (£17m) release clause in his contract.
Perez, 27, hadn’t enjoyed much success during spells with Rayo Vallecano, Karpaty Lviv, Dynamo Kiev and PAOK, but starred with Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga last season.
A clever striker who can link up play, get in behind defences and create chances, Perez hit 17 goals and eight assists last season, helping Deportivo narrowly avoid relegation from La Liga.
Unsurprisingly, his goalscoring exploits appear to have attracted interest, and Everton are willing to spend big money on the Spaniard – and have even promised him an enticing contract offer.
It’s stated that Deportivo have offered Perez a seven-year contract on £16,500-a-week, but Everton are willing to double that and offer Perez a deal worth over £32,000-a-week – money which may well tempt Perez into making the move to England.
Koeman is believed to have given his seal of approval on the deal after Perez was recommended by the club’s Director of Football Steve Walsh, and Perez may now have a huge decision to make before next week’s transfer deadline.
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