OPINION
A nightmare scenario for Newcastle United supporters would be to see manager Rafael Benitez and star man Ayoze Perez both leave the club this summer.
They’ll be hoping that that doesn’t happen, of course, but in the latter’s case, at least, it appears that the wheels are very much in motion for his departure.
The Chronicle reported on Wednesday that the player’s representative have already begun talks over his potential exit, sending out feelers to gauge the level of interest from Europe in their client’s services.
That will be extremely distressing reading for the Magpies faithful, who will be desperate for the Spaniard to stay after witnessing his stunning run of form in recent months.
The 25-year-old, on a reported £45,000-per-week [Source: Spotrac], has become arguably the most important Newcastle player over the past couple of months, and so the Toon Army have likely been left gutted by The Chronicle’s report.
If Perez does leave, it’s going to be extremely difficult for Newcastle, with their rigid financial restrictions in the transfer market, to adequately replace him.
Where are they realistically going to find a player as good as Perez who they could afford to bring in? It’s going to be tricky, to say the least. At best they’ll be able to bring in a young prospect, like Perez was, who will take some time to develop into a first team regular.
Perhaps Perez is simply leaving his options open in case Benitez does leave. Hopefully, though, the manager stays on and his compatriot ends up doing the same. However, the signs aren’t good at the moment, that’s for sure.
