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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.”

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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.

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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.