Lucas Pérez looks set to extend his career in Spain after CD Castellón confirmed they have tabled a “solid offer” to sign the 36-year-old forward.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Lucas Perez (L) of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on September 20, 2016 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Out of contract since leaving PSV Eindhoven at the start of July, after tuberculosis ended his season in March, the Galician has spent the summer training with several clubs to maintain his fitness, including with Rayo Majadahonda, but is now close to sealing a move that would give him a final stage in professional football.
Castellón owner Haralabos Voulgaris told El Periódico Mediterráneo: “Contrary to what has been published, we have spoken with Lucas Pérez several times. He has many other options, but if he decides to come, we would be delighted. We have presented convincing arguments and a solid offer.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal (R) celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal with Lucas Perez of Arsenal (L) during The Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Final match between Arsenal and Lincoln City at Emirates Stadium on March 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images
Pérez will turn 37 next week, and would bring with him a career that has spanned Europe. Starting in youth football in his home region, before moving through the academies of Atlético Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, Pérez played for Lviv Carpathians, Dynamo Kyiv, and PAOK before returning to Deportivo La Coruña.
His most high-profile transfer came in 2016, when Arsenal paid his £17.1 million release clause. Pérez produced several stand-out performances in limited minutes under Arsène Wenger, including a Champions League hat-trick against Basel and a brace in the League Cup at Nottingham Forest, but never established himself as a regular ahead of Alexis Sánchez, Olivier Giroud, and Theo Walcott.
In total, he made 21 appearances for the Gunners, averaging just 45 minutes per game. He still managed seven goals and five assists in that time – a goal or assist every 79 minutes – despite only starting nine games, six of which were in the FA and League Cup.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal is substituted for Lucas Perez of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match between Arsenal FC and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on March 7, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
After a loan back to Deportivo and a short stay at West Ham United, he returned to Spain in 2019, scoring consistently for Alavés, Elche, and Cádiz, before re-joining Deportivo after they were relegated. His goals there helped secure promotion in 2024.
A move to PSV in February this year ended before it really got a chance to begin after he contracted tuberculosis the following month. He has since recovered and is again ready to play.
If he accepts Castellón’s offer, Pérez would occupy the final available squad place, adding experience and goals to a side aiming to consolidate in the Spanish second tier.
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