Goal.com

Arsenal is expected to complete the 20 million euro ($22.6M) signing of Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna on Friday.

The 28-year-old has been identified as the striker to help Olivier Giroud up front this season following a summer of failing to land targets including Jamie Vardy and Gonzalo Higuain.

Goal understands that Perez will travel to London Friday alongside his representative Rodrigo Fernandes where he's expected to undergo a medical and finalize personal terms.

According to reports in Spain, Arsene Wenger's side was able to fend off interest from Valencia and Everton, with the latter reportedly having a deal in place to bring the Spaniard to Goodison Park before the Gunners made contact.

Perez, who was scouted by Arsenal during Deportivo's 1-1 draw with Sevilla last December, was named in the squad to face Real Betis on Friday but will now be omitted so that he can complete his move to the Emirates Stadium.

Greek side PAOK will receive €6 million from the transfer fee due to a sell-on clause included in the deal which took Perez from Thessaloniki to La Coruna last August.

Wenger's men have signed four players so far this summer - Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding, Takuma Asano and Kelechi Nwakali - while a move for Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi remains possible despite coach Pako Ayestaran insisting that the German defender will stay put.

Mustafi wants to move to the Emirates, having already agreed a switch in principle, but the Spanish giants remain firm on their stance that he will not be sold for anything less than £40m, although negotiations could be revived over the coming days due to Los Che needing to sell players in order to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.