Arsenal Transfer News: Lucas Perez Deal Sanctioned, Victor Wanyama Rumours

Arsene Wenger is reportedly eager to sign Deportivo La Coruna forward Lucas Perez as he looks to add further strength to Arsenal's attacking line.

According to Galicia-based newspaper El Ideal Gallego (h/t Marc Williams in the Daily Star), the Gunners have scouted the 27-year-old on several occasions this season and Wenger has "personally sanctioned" a deal to sign him in January.

Lucas has been in remarkable form in 2015-16, netting 10 Primera Division goals in 14 appearances, per WhoScored.com.

He can play as a central striker, a No. 10 or on the right flank, is a clinical finisher and devastatingly effective on the counter-attack, per La Liga expert Petter Veland:

Theoretically, Lucas would be an ideal fit at the Emirates Stadium and could work well in Wenger's pacy, intricate system, as well as adding significant goalscoring prowess, as can be seen below:

Furthermore, as the Gunners continue to struggle with injuries—attackers Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott have all been concerns of late—Lucas would provide necessary depth.

Oliver Giroud is Arsenal's only out-and-out No. 9, and although he has been impressive recently, he cannot be relied upon to carry the goalscoring burden throughout the season.

It is a long campaign, and with Arsenal hoping to fight for the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, they need a bigger squad.

Lucas could be a very useful addition in attack and could likely be tempted away from Depor by the attraction of playing in the English top flight and the Champions League.

He only signed for Depor permanently in August on a four-year deal, meaning the Liga club will not be prepared to let him go cheaply.

But Lucas could be a key signing for Arsenal if they were prepared to shell out for him given the quality he would bring to Wenger's squad.

Elsewhere, Arsenal have been given a boost in their pursuit of a new defensive midfielder with Southampton reportedly resigned to losing Victor Wanyama.

Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

According to Darren Lewis in the Mirror, Saints are already lining up a replacement for Wanyama—in the shape of Porto's Giannelli Imbula—with the Gunners and Tottenham Hotspur all interested in the 24-year-old Kenyan.

The report also noted Waynama handed in a transfer request in the summer, an indication he would be open to leaving the south coast club.

With Francis Coquelin set for a long-term lay-off, Arsenal need decent backup in the defensive-midfield department.

Wanyama would be an ideal signing as he already has Premier League experience and has proved himself to be very effective at disrupting opposition attacks, per WhoScored.com:

Wenger's understudies for Coquelin, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini, are not good enough, but Wanyama would provide excellent short-term cover for the Frenchman, as well as genuine competition in the long term.