Arsenal have made a late move for Everton target Lucas Perez.

The Goodison Park club have proposed to pay the £16.9million buyout clause for the Deportivo La Coruna striker but are wary that negotiations have not been straight forward.

Arsenal have tracked the 27-year-old Perez for the past year and are now understood to have made a rival offer just as Everton were looking to push through the deal.

Everton and Arsenal are battling to sign Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez (middle)

The 27-year-old striker scored 17 goals for the Spanish side in La Liga last season

PEREZ'S 2015-16 STATS Appearances - 36 Goals scored - 17 Assists - 8 Chances created - 72 Shot accuracy - 59 per cent Advertisement

Valencia also wanted Lucas as a replacement for Paco Alcacer, who is a target for Barcelona. However, on enquiring, Valencia were told by Deportivo that Lucas was close to an agreement with Arsenal.

Perez was a target for director of football Steve Walsh at Leicester and he has maintained interest since his move to Everton.

Sportsmail reported earlier this week that contact had been made and Everton have made their offer with Deportivo valuing their goalscorer highly.

Perez is quick and can play off the wing or as a central striker and scored 17 goals in La Liga last season.

Perez can play centrally as the main striker or on the wing and is regarded as quick

The Toffees are also interested in signing Southampton right-back Cuco Martina

Everton have also started talks over Southampton full-back Cuco Martina as cover for Seamus Coleman.

Martina played 15 games in the Premier League last season, scoring once, having moved to St. Mary's from Dutch side Twente.

The 26-year-old has been capped 24 times by his nation Curacoa.