Ayoze Perez admitted in an interview with Marca that he’s open to a “good opportunity” if one presents itself. The Newcastle United centre-forward has been linked with a move to Tottenham with Mauricio Pochettino eyeing more backup for Harry Kane. Fernando Llorente and Vincent Janssen may not be at the club next season and the Spaniard has been identified as a replacement.
Perez said: “To this day, I do not know (where my future lies). I hope (there is) something very good. I believe that I have gained merit in the last five years so that a good opportunity presents itself.”
Newcastle paid £1.5m to sign Ayoze Perez from CD Tenerife in 2014 but may request something close to his CIES valuation of £14.5m. He earns £2.3m-a-year at St James’ Park. Since Andy Carroll joined Liverpool for £35m in 2011 the Magpies’ have sold only one striker for more than £10m – Aleksandar Mitrovic to Fulham (£22m) – so Tottenham wouldn’t have to break the bank for Perez.
The 25-year-old has scored (42) and created (17) 59 goals in 187 games in all competitions for Newcastle, contributing eight goals in 29 Premier League appearances this season. Perez has created 38 chances and made 33 successful dribbles and may not be a bad option for Pochettino.
He’s a different player to Kane as he’s more diminutive in stature but is versatile in attack and has his hand in a Premier League goal every 256 minutes on average.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Christian Eriksen’s agent responds to speculation over uncertain Tottenham future