Joe Hart.

Arsenal bolstered its striker options by signing Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna on the next-to-last day of Europe's transfer window, and England goalkeeper Joe Hart's departure from Manchester City grew closer yesterday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been trying to buy a striker since the end of last season, only to see bids for Leicester City's Jamie Vardy and Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette get rejected. With time running out to add to his squad, Wenger settled on the 27-year-old Lucas — a scorer of 17 goals last season.

British media reported Lucas will cost Arsenal about 17 million pounds (US$22.3 million).

Arsenal was also among the top English teams attempting to trim their squads in the final hours of the transfer window.

England defender Calum Chambers was in Middlesbrough to complete a loan move from Arsenal to the promoted Premier League club, and Chelsea loaned France striker Loic Remy to Crystal Palace for the rest of the season.

Hart was on the verge of leaving City on loan, too, having landed in Italy to tie up a move to Torino for the remainder of the season. Hart has slipped to third-choice goalkeeper at City, behind new signing Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero.

He was given permission to leave the England camp to seal the move.

Meanwhile, Barcelona said it has signed striker Paco Alcacer for five seasons after securing his transfer from rival Spanish club Valencia.

Alcacer, who turned 23 yesterday, joins an already daunting attack of Lionel Messi, Lius Suarez, and Neymar.

Barcelona said it is paying 30 million euros (US$33.5 million), plus a possible 2 million euros more in variables, to Valencia.

The Liga champion also said it is loaning forward Munir El Haddadi to Valencia, which will have the option to buy his rights next summer for 12 million euros.

Alcacer scored 43 goals in the last three seasons at Valencia.