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La Liga Leaks: Alcacer ‘asks to leave VCF’, Lucas Perez ‘on his way to Arsenal’

By far the biggest story in this morning’s papers is that of Paco Alcacer and his imminent move to Barcelona. MARCA, AS, Superdeporte and Plaza Deportiva all report the same details about how the definitive moment came yesterday when Alcacer told Layhoon Chan, in person, that he wanted to leave Valencia. Speculation surrounding the Spanish international’s future has been rife ever since Peter Lim was captured leaving the Camp Nou a week or so ago.

The terms of the deal are said to be €30m with a future €5m in add-ons. No players are said to be officially part of the move, although Plaza Deportiva suggest Valencia could try and gazump Celta Vigo’s bid to sign Munir El Haddadi. The youngster gave the green light to join Eduardo Berizzo’s team, Radio COPE saying the deal is in fact done, but until it’s announced officially I guess there’s a chance Valencia could lure him to the Mestalla instead.

Arsenal have spent all summer unsuccessfully trying to sign a central defender but out of nowhere it appears they’re on the verge of completing a deal for a La Liga star: Lucas Perez. Sorry Arsenal fans, he isn’t a defender, but the decision to deposit his €20m buyout clause was made last night and bar any last minute complications he will become an Arsenal player tomorrow.

The Deportivo hitman has been linked with moves to the Premier League already this season after both Leicester City and more recently Everton declared an interest. There’s no surprise in that as director of football Steve Walsh, formerly of the Foxes and now at the Toffees, is a known fan of the striker. Lucas scored 17 league goals last term and is already off the mark this season, slotting home a penalty against Eibar at the weekend. It signals a remarkable 12-month turnaround in a somewhat patchy career before his return to Depor last year.

Other news and rumours:

- Barcelona’s right back, Douglas, is on the verge of joining Sporting Gijon on loan. (MARCA)

- The Spanish FA, the RFEF, has opened disciplinary proceedings against Sporting Gijon over the racist chants aimed at Iñaki Williams last weekend. (AS)

- Oliver Torres is joining Porto on loan again, this time with an option to make his move to Portugal permanent if the club pays €20m. (MARCA)

- Arsenal have turned their attentions to Kostas Manolas after reaching an impasse in negotiations with Valencia over Shkodran Mustafi. (Plaza Deportiva)

- Espanyol coach Quique Sanchez Flores will try and sign Allan Nyom from his old club Watford. (MARCA)

- Yevhen Konoplyanka had admitted there are offers on the table from Zenit and Spartak Moscow to bring him back to the Russian league should he decide to leave Sevilla this summer. (AS)