Arsenal’s Lucas Perez is a target for former club Deportivo, but the Spaniards can’t afford to meet his asking price.

But given the player desperately wants out of Arsenal and the Gunners are believed to have an offer on the table, why won’t they just let him leave?

According to the Evening Standard, Deportivo have offered £9m to re-sign the striker this summer, a bid around half of what Arsenal paid for him 12 months ago.

Arsene Wenger is digging his heels in with a number of player sales this summer, refusing to budge on Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Jack Wilshere and now Lucas.

But the striker isn’t in the right frame of mind to stay, most notably making a public statement on how Arsenal cheated him and lied to him, and his exit will at least generate funds for the club.

He scored and created nine goals in nine starts in all competitions in 2016/17, making 21 appearances in total but racking up only 400 minutes of playing time.

After Lucas spent the second half of last season on the bench or out of the matchday squad, new signing Alexander Lacazette was given his number nine shirt this summer.

There doesn’t look to be anyway back in the first-team for him asa result, nor does he appear keen for a return. So the sooner Arsenal can part company with the 28-year-old, the better.