OPINION
If there’s one player who the Newcastle United supporters don’t want to lose this summer it’s attacker Ayoze Perez, who enjoyed a tremendous end to the season.
The Spaniard finished the campaign in stunning form for Rafael Benitez’s side, but there has been intense speculation that he will seek a return to his homeland this summer.
That’s why European giants’ Atletico Madrid’s interest will be ringing alarm bells for the Toon Army. Spanish outlet Libertad reported on Tuesday that Diego Simeone is targeting the 25-year-old as he looks to rebuild his squad ahead of next season. Valencia are also credited with an interest in the Magpies star.
That news is extremely concerning, because if Atletico do follow up their interest with an official bid for Perez, there is surely next to no chance that the player would turn down that move.
When it comes to teams that Perez could realistically move to, Atletico are simply on another level. They are likely the biggest team that would consider coming in for him; Champions League regulars with one of the finest managers in world football running things.
It’s going to be extremely difficult for Newcastle to keep the attacker if Simeone does make a move for him. The lure of Madrid, with a stunning new stadium and Champions League football, would surely be too much for him to turn down, while they would undoubtedly have the cash to afford him.
Their star man Antoine Griezmann is expected to depart the Spanish capital this summer, and so they will be flush with cash. Perez is by no means a replacement for the imperious Frenchman, but he could serve as part of a clutch of players brought in with the money from his expected sale.
That would leave the Magpies in a terrible spot, though. Perez is arguably the most talented player at the club, but if Atletico come in for him then it’s likely ‘sayonara’ to the Spaniard.
