Deportivo La Coruna have granted permission to Lucas Perez to withdraw from the squad to face Real Betis on Saturday amid media talks linking the striker to a potential move to Premier League club Arsenal.
"Lucas Perez, a striker, will not travel to Seville, with permission of the club," the La Liga club said in a statement on its website (www.canaldeportivo.com).
Arsenal have fought off interests from league rivals Everton and are set to sign striker, according to British media reports.
The 27-year-old, who scored in Deportivo's 2-1 win against Eibar last Friday, netted 17 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions last season.
Arsenal's efforts to bolster their strike force have been thwarted with Olympique Lyonnais rejecting a bid for Alexandre Lacazette and Jamie Vardy committing his long-term future to LeicesterCity after being pursued by the North London club.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's only forward signing in the current transfer window has been 21-year-old Japan international Takuma Asano.
Image: Lucas Perez
Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images
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