As expected based on reports from earlier this week, Lucas Perez has been sold across London to West Ham. The Spaniard never really got things going at the Emirates, only managing 7 goals in 21 appearances. Last spring, Arsene Wenger expressed remorse that a combination of injuries and lack of playing time stymied the striker.
Reports have the fee somewhere between £4m and £5m, significantly less than the £17m Arsenal spent to acquire the Spaniard two seasons ago. The difference is likely due to his lack of production over the past two seasons and his high £80,000 a week wages.
Perez is the second attacker sold by Arsenal this off-season — Chuba Akpom was sold in early August. Danny Welbeck has also reportedly been told that he can leave the club. The Gunners seem set to use Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Alex Iwobi, and Eddie Nketiah as their strikers this season.
Perez tweeted out a nice thank you to Arsenal and the fans.
Thanks! pic.twitter.com/mBPcMfZHsZ
— Lucas Pérez (@LP10oficial) August 9, 2018
Best of luck Lucas, hope you bang in tons of goals for the Hammers. Just do us a favor and don’t score them against Arsenal. Oh, and say hi to Jack Wilshere!