Ex-Arsenal Forward Lucas Perez Said to be Eyeing Free Agent Transfer to PSV

Former Arsenal forward Lucas Perez (36) is poised to join PSV Eindhoven, with the Spanish striker having reached an agreement with the current Eredivisie champions.

Reports suggest that Perez may finalise the move as early as Sunday, pending a medical examination, and could be handed a contract that lasts until the end of the season.

The seasoned striker has been without a club since January after Deportivo La Coruna, a team in the Spanish second tier, released him. During his time with Los Turcos, Perez made a total of 172 appearances across three stints.

At 36, Perez will bolster a PSV squad that is currently grappling with injuries and poor form. Their leading scorer, Ricardo Pepi, sustained a potentially season-ending injury in January, which has left 34-year-old Luuk de Jong as the sole striking option.

The reigning champions have seen a nine-point advantage over Ajax diminish in recent months, and if Ajax secures a win against Go Ahead Eagles later on Sunday, PSV might find themselves five points adrift.

Perez is best known for his stints with Premier League clubs Arsenal and West Ham. He joined the Gunners in 2016 for €20 million from Deportivo La Coruna but struggled to make a significant impact, netting just seven times in 21 appearances during the 2016/17 season.

After leaving Arsenal in 2018, following a loan spell back at Deportivo La Coruna, Perez signed with West Ham for approximately €4.4 million. He scored six goals in 18 matches before heading back to Spain the following summer.

Although PSV is set to face Arsenal in the upcoming UEFA Champions League, Perez won’t be eligible to participate as the registration deadline for the knockout phase has already passed.