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Agent: Arsenal 28-year-old wants to quit, Serie A club reportedly eye summer swoop
By Matt Farr
Lucas Perez could be set to quit Arsenal just one year after arriving at the club, according to the player’s agent.
Rodrigo Fernandez Lovelle has revealed to Calciomercato that Perez plans to quit the Emirates at the end of the season, after becoming frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities.
The 28-year-old has appeared in 17 matches for Arsenal in all competitions this season, but has been handed just eight starts.
Despite his lack of opportunities, Perez has provided a healthy return of seven goals and six assists, but he wants to be playing more regularly for the north London club.
According to Italian news outlet Il Messaggero, AC Milan have expressed an interest in signing Perez this summer.
Lovelle admitted that Perez wants to leave the club ‘at all costs’, and slammed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for his handling of the player since his arrival from Deportivo at the start of the campaign.
He said: “He hasn’t received any offers yet. If Lucas leaves London – and he will leave because he’s had no chance with [Arsene] Wenger – he wants to go and play for a big club like Arsenal.
“Look, the truth is that Lucas wants to leave at all costs and is not happy at Arsenal, he hasn’t settled and hasn’t had a chance to play and show what he can do.
“No matter who is the manager in the future, we want to go. The player must have the opportunity to play.”
Perez has sat out of Arsenal’s past few games nursing a minor injury, which ruled him out of crucial ties against Chelsea and Bayern Munich – both heavy defeats for the Gunners.
However, when called upon, Perez has stepped up to the plate. On his single start for the club in the Champions League group-stage in December, the Spaniard netted a fine hat-trick to down FC Basel.
Perez also bagged a brace in the EFL Cup victory over Nottingham Forest back in September. He could though, return to the starting line-up when Arsenal take on minnows Sutton United in the FA Cup on Monday.
Football Insider verdict
Arsenal fans will be hoping that there is no truth behind the agent’s claims. His performances for the club have been impressive, and he has become a real hit with the fans. However, his lack of game-time is frustrating for both parties. The fans want to see more of him, and they have often made their feelings known when he has been left out of the squad. Meanwhile, Perez needs to be playing regular football. His move to Arsenal came as a shock, but he has proven a worthwhile purchase – but he needs to be playing regularly. If his situation does not improve between now and the end of the season, it would come as little surprise if Perez was tempted by an offer from abroad, from a team such as AC Milan. But until then, Arsenal must make the most of Perez and his talents.
In other Arsenal transfer news, one of their main Premier League rivals have made this Arsenal 23-year-old ace their top summer transfer target.
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