Wenger: Perez a £17m gamble
ARSENE WENGER admits signing Lucas Perez is a “gamble” after completing the £17million capture of the Deportivo La Coruna striker.
Wenger, who also wrapped up the £35m signing of Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi, passed up the chance to sign Perez earlier in the summer. But the Arsenal boss went back for the 27-year-old – who scored 17 La Liga goals last season – after missing out on Jamie Vardy and Alexandre Lacazette.
Wenger said: “He’s a late developer in this position because he has always played on the flanks. He’s got a good eye for goal and had an outstanding season last year in a team that didn’t create too many chances.
“I’m confident. He has pace, good technical levels, is a good finisher and he has the ingredients to be a success.
“It’s always a little bit of a gamble to come from one country to another but I believe it was a gamble worth taking. I’m excited about that.”
Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry, 21, is heading back to Germany with Werder Bremen after joining from Stuttgart in 2011. He has failed to make the grade, making just 10 league appearances.
Defender Calum Chambers has joined Middlesbrough on a season-long loan.
WEST BROM have launched an audacious £21m bid for Portugal’s Euro 2016 star William Carvalho but will switch to Malaga’s Ignacio Camacho if the move for the Sporting Lisbon midfielder fails.