WEST Ham United are closing in on the signing of Arsenal striker Lucas Perez.

Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini has made adding a frontman to his squad before Thursday’s transfer deadline a priority.

And Perez, who can also play out wide, is thought to be a cheaper alternative to other possible targets.

Perez has become unsettled at the Emirates Stadium after finding first team opportunities limited since joining Arsenal from Deportivo La Coruna in August 2016 for a fee understood to be £17.1million.

The striker has scored just one goal in 11 Premier League appearances for the Gunners and spent last term on loan with Deportivo, where he scored eight goals in 35 appearances.

Arsenal are set to accept a fee far less than they paid for Perez two years ago, with £5million the asking price.

And with the transfer deadline fast approaching, West Ham appear to be willing to meet the Gunners’ demands.

The east Londoners are also in talks to sign Harold Moukoudi, a 20-year-old central defender from Le Havre, along with Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes.

The Catalan giants are hoping to offload the Portugal international and are thought to be unwilling to sanction a loan move.

However, the Premier League club have ended their pursuit of Yacine Brahimi.

West Ham had agreed a fee with Porto but have turned their attentions elsewhere after failing to come to an agreement over personal terms.