Arsenal close in on Deportivo striker Lucas Perez

Arsenal are set to beat Everton to the signature of Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez, according to Sky sources.

The Merseyside club were close to landing the 27-year old having triggered his release clause, which is around £17m.

Sky Sports News HQ understands Arsenal's negotiations are at a much earlier stage, but the lure of Champions League football is likely to prove decisive.

Perez scored 17 goals in La Liga last season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has made no secret of his desire to bolster his striking options this summer, but attempts to sign Lyon star Alexandre Lacazette have failed.

Known simply as Lucas, he is a late developer, having spent much of his early 20's in the Spanish lower leagues playing for Atletico Madrid's junior team.

He had loan spells at Rayo Vallecano and Karpaty Lviv in Ukraine, but kick-started his career in Greece with PAOK Thessaloniki.  

He returned to Spain on loan with Deportivo, and was such a success that they signed him on a permanent deal last summer.