Lucas Perez has completed a medical in London and will complete his move to Arsenal this weekend.
Arsene Wenger is set to sign the forward for £17million — even though he was turned down by the Gunners one month ago.
The Spanish Deportivo La Coruna striker touched down in the capital on Thursday night ahead of finalising a deal.
Perez has been watched repeatedly by the north London club, but in July they knocked back the chance to sign him.
Yet with pressure from fans demanding action in the transfer market as
Arsenal’s first offer was rejected by Deportivo on Thursday after they tried to pay the modest fee in two instalments, but a subsequent structured bid was accepted.
Despite scoring 17 goals last season, Perez was dismissed in the reports by several scouts as not being at Arsenal’s level and he was well down their list of potential signings.
But they moved back in to nick him off Everton, who had gone for Perez after strong recommendations from new director of football Steve Walsh — a key figure in Leicester striking gold with low-key buys such as Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and N’Golo Kante.
Wednesday night’s deadline looms, manager Wenger has gone back in for the 27-year-old after he appeared to be heading for Everton.
Perez, who wants to play Champions League football, will have his medical in London today after being offered a four-year contract and it completes a dream rise for him from nomadic forward to being Arsenal’s star summer signing.