Lucas Perez: 'Arsenal didn't want me to join Deportivo La Coruna'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 02 September 2017

Arsenal striker Lucas Perez insists that Deportivo La Coruna were the only side he wanted to join on loan this summer, having been granted his deadline-day wish.

Lucas Perez has revealed that he had to force through his move to Deportivo La Coruna as Arsenal were keen to offload him to other clubs.

The 28-year-old got the move he craved on deadline day, rejoining the Spanish side on loan for the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign.

Perez was restricted to 21 appearances for the Gunners, just nine of which were starts, though a number of teams - Newcastle United among them - were still keen to take him off Arsenal's hands.

Speaking at his unveiling at the Riazor, the Spaniard said: "I'm where I want to be. I have a right to decide what is going to happen with my future and what I want to do.

"Arsenal understood that and I'm grateful to them. They understood my situation and the fact that I wanted to return home. Arsenal defended their own interests, they initially didn't want me to return to Deportivo.

"They have reached agreements with many clubs but I clearly told them that my intention was to join Depor and no other alternative."

Perez joined Arsenal from Deportivo last summer for a fee of £17m on the back of netting 17 goals in 37 games in the 2015-16 season.