Arsenal are reportedly demanding up to £20m for Lucas Perez.
The Sun are claiming in an EXCLUSIVE that Arsenal are demanding at least £17m for Lucas – the same amount they paid Deportivo last summer.
Apparently, Newcastle and Brighton, who are both said to be interested in signing the forward, could have to cough up as much as £20m if they want to bring the Spaniard on board permanently.
This means that Rafa Benitez, while keen, is reportedly now only willing to sign the 28-year-old on a loan deal.
It’s an odd rumour, since it was widely reportedly only last week after Lucas handed in his transfer request that Arsenal were asking for £13.4m. In fact, Lucas’s agent, Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle, recently commented on the Gunners’ asking price being too high.
“€15m (£13.4m) is an expensive price,” Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle told Goal.
“Lucas wants to go to the World Cup and be happy at a place where he has opportunities to play.”
He then claimed that just under £11m was a far better price.
“Lucas wants to play but it depends on Arsenal,” Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle said.
“Arsenal want more [money]. We want to leave but if there is no agreement he has a contract with Arsenal. The ideal price is about €12m.”
While it’s been made clear that Arsenal want to at least get back some of the money they paid for Lucas only a year ago, £20m is far more than has been reported before, which makes it seem unlikely.
Benitez revealed that when he asked Arsene Wenger about signing the Spaniard, the boss did mention money:
https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/895257510172651520
However, although true, this was (most likely) just some banter between managers.
If Arsenal are struggling to get clubs to agree to spend £13m on a player, why would they then raise that even higher?