Newcastle United attacker Ayoze Perez has revealed what he said in a one-on-one exchange with Magpies owner Mike Ashley after the final day win over Fulham.
Rafael Benitez’s side overcame the relegated Cottagers 4-0 last Sunday in front of the Sports Direct tycoon, and Perez has lifted the lid on a brief chat he had with Ashley after the game.
“I said hello and he was happy and buzzing about the result and the way we ended the season,” he told The Chronicle. “He said thank you to everybody for the effort this season. It’s something good from him.”
The Spaniard’s phenomenal form to end the campaign has brought him onto the radar of Premier League giants Arsenal, according to The Sun.
OPINION
It’s interesting to hear that Ashley was down celebrating with the players after their big final day victory, and it’s significant also that he had some kind words for Perez. You wonder whether that was just a coincidence, whether Ashley spoke to all the players individually or whether he singled Perez out because of how good he’s been and the speculation surrounding his future. To be honest, though, it’s tricky to picture Ashley having his finger on the pulse of Newcastle United enough to realise that he’s in danger of losing one of his best players. It’s more likely that he’s completely oblivious to the former Tenerife man’s future and merely bumped into him after the Fulham win. Still, to see evidence of some discourse between the owner and any of the playing squad at Newcastle is a welcome step in the right direction – it’s probably not something that happens very often, after all.
