Newcastle United would only consider selling attacker Ayoze Perez if a substantial offer was made for his services, according to a trusted journalist.
The Chronicle’s Chris Waugh, via the newspaper’s live transfer blog (Monday, 11:05), confirmed that there is transfer interest in the 24-year-old but claimed that the player was happy at St James Park.
Waugh issued the update on Perez’s scenario, while stating that the player was a long-term target for Real Sociedad, after Mundo Deportivo reported that Real Betis and Napoli were admirers of the attacker’s talents.
“Ayoze Perez has been a long-term Real Sociedad target – while seemingly Napoli have also joined the forward’s long list of admirers,” wrote Waugh.
“However, our understanding is that Rafa Benitez does not want to sell Perez; even though the United manager hopes to sign a No 10 this summer, that is to provide competition and not move on the forward.
“Perez himself is also extremely happy on Tyneside and appreciates the opportunity Newcastle have presented him with over the last few seasons.
“He knows that, if Benitez stays, he will only improve – and then will hopefully gain an opportunity to play for Spain in the future, interest is real in Perez, but it would take a substantial offer for Newcastle to even consider selling him.”
OPINION
Waugh is a very reliable journalist and his explanation of the chances of Perez’s exiting the club is one that can be believed. The 24-year-old, who earns £45,000-a-week (source: Spotrac), managed 10 goals in 37 outings for the Magpies in the recently concluded campaign and the club must keep him. While he may not be the prolific force needed to guide the Magpies to the dizzy heights that they aspire to be at, Perez always works hard for the team in order to help their cause. It seems pretty much guaranteed that the attacker will be pulling on a Magpies’ jersey next season as despite the interest in him, everyone seems happy for him to continue at St James Park. With Benitez is aiming to improve his options in the number ten position there’s no way he will allow Perez to walk as that will mean he’ll be on the hunt for his replacement as well. Waugh may not state how high the offer must be to pry Perez away anytime soon but it’s hard to see a club making a big enough offer to get the Magpies’ attention.
