Newcastle United don’t want to part with Perez but Marseille may make them an offer they (or Mike Ashley) cannot refuse.
With just six goals in 30 appearances this season, the statistics suggest that Newcastle United forward Ayoze Perez is somewhat fortunate to be considered for one of European football’s most ambitious projects.
Yet, The Chronicle reports that Marseille, the fallen French giants desiring a dramatic return to the top under ambitious American ownership, have been linked with a summer move for The Magpies forward.
The publication adds that the Ligue 1 giants would have to offer a sizeable fee to convince Newcastle to part with Perez. But, after splashing out £25 million on Dimitri Payet 18 months after selling him for half the price, new owner Frank McCourt is clearly not afraid to put his hand in his pocket, The Telegraph reports.
Though it appears that Marseille’s reported interest in a striker who has scored just 19 times in 97 league games in England is far from random.
After all, the club’s sporting director and transfer chief is none other than Andoni Zubizaretta (below, left), the former Spain international goalkeeper who, until January 2015, had worked in a similar role at Barcelona.
And, before Perez moved to Newcastle in the summer of 2015 for just £1.5 million, the sprightly striker was heavily linked with Barca after netting 16 goals in the second tier for Tenerife, the Daily Mail reports. And Zubizaretta is a confirmed admirer.
“We tried to sign Ayoze Perez,” the 55-year-old said. “I thought he was an interesting player, first for the B-team – like [current Barca midfielder] Denis [Suarez].”
Although Perez has hardly set the world alight in his three seasons at St James’ Park, his is just 23 and has plenty of time on his side.
Furthermore, a stand-out debut season in 2014/15 offered glimpses of that instinctive poaching ability, excellent close control and commendable work rate that could make him a future star in France.
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