Arsene Wenger was warned not to sign ‘mid-table’ star over Jamie Vardy, but Arsenal made transfer error anyway

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Arsenal have had some astounding transfer hits and some alarming transfer misses over the years.

From Arsene Wenger to Unai Emery to Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have been treated to some top-class talent in recent years.

That being said, not every signing has been a success, with even Wenger having some questions to answer over decisions made. 

Wenger knows who his best signings at Arsenal were and certainly knows who some of the worst were, with a claim made for former striker Lucas Perez.

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Arsene Wenger was told not to sign Lucas Perez

Currently on loan at PSV Eindhoven, Perez was unable to play against Arsenal in the Champions League round of 16 due to not being registered in time.

Perez was on Arsenal’s books for only two years in what was a wholly underwhelming transfer, particularly when considering what could’ve been.

Arsenal failed to sign Jamie Vardy as Wenger’s first-choice striker in the summer of Perez’s arrival but, it became apparent that some at the Emirates didn’t even want to sign the Spaniard as an alternative. 

In 2020, The Athletic wrote a piece on former Arsenal scout Francis Cagigao, where a conversation regarding Perez’s transfer was revealed. 

It was reported that Everton were ‘on the brink’ of signing the striker when Cagigao was asked if Arsenal would like to sign Perez.

The Gunners scout of 23 years responded, “Not a chance, he’s a mid-table player.”

With Vardy choosing to reject Arsenal and limited time and options available, the Gunners opted to take on Perez regardless, with the results being something Cagigao perhaps anticipated.

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How many goals did Lucas Perez score for Arsenal?

Perez was an Arsenal player from 2016 to 2018, leaving the Gunners to sign for West Ham United.

During his time working with Wenger, the Spaniard made only 21 appearances for the North Londoners, spending his second year at the club on loan at Deportivo La Coruna.

Perez scored only seven goals for Arsenal and ironically, the majority of the striker’s goals were scored at the top level in the Champions League.

Perez scored just once in the Premier League for Arsenal before leaving N5, in what was a terrible, yet expected, transfer for all involved.