Arsenal Open Talks Over £7m-Rated Spanish Hitman

The January transfer window may have slammed shut but clubs will still be working hard behind the scenes at identifying targets for the summer, so we’ll bring you all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Gooner Mac brings us news of Arsenal’s interest in Ayoze Perez.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has opened talks with Tenerife over the signing of highly-rated striker Ayoze Perez, according to the Metro.

It wasn’t a successful January transfer window for us as we failed to sign another striker and only managed to bring in an injured 31-year-old midfielder on loan, but it seems Wenger is already planning for the summer and has his eye on one of the hottest young talents in Spain.

Perez has been in excellent form for Tenerife in the Spanish second division this season, scoring 10 goals in 21 appearances, which has led to interest from the likes of Manchester City and Everton while Real Madrid failed with an attempt to take him to the Bernabeu last month as the Segunda outfit insisted he remained with them until the end of the season.

However, the Metro claim that Arsenal have now joined the race for his signature with Wenger understood to have opened talks with Tenerife and told them to ‘name their price’ for the exciting 20-year-old forward.

While it’s difficult to see a man as frugal as Wenger asking any club to simply ‘name their price’ without any negotiations, I understand the sentiment behind what the newspaper is trying to get across; Arsene wants Perez and is keen to get a deal tied up quickly.

With interest mounting in the pacey striker, it would make sense to try and get something agreed as soon as possible and the report suggests Perez will cost a fee in the region of £7million.

Perez is obviously not the big-money striker many fans are hoping we’ll sign at the end of the season but if we do end up bringing the youngster to the Emirates, he’s likely to be considered as a squad player for now.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news

With Nicklas Bendtner expected to finally leave this summer, we’re going to need to bring in two strikers – unless we promote someone from within the club – and Perez could be signed as well as a ‘marquee’ name.

What striker would you like to see Arsene sign this summer? Share your views below.