After Arsene Wenger last week explained his decision to allow Lucas Perez to leave the club this summer, Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has seemingly admitted the Spanish striker is on his radar.
The 28 year old has been linked with a move back to his home-town club, Deportivo la Coruña, but he could also be tempted by a move north to link up with the former Valencia and Real Madrid manager at St James Park.
Deportivo appear not to be able to match the €15m fee Arsenal are seeking for Perez, which may leave him no option but to consider other clubs.
And it seems Benitez has had some positive reports about the Arsenal man, saying, “I like the player because I have good friends in Coruña.
“I know that he did really well. He’s come here and not played in many games, but I like the player.”
The Arsenal manager spoke again yesterday about the need to trim his squad before the transfer window closes, and Perez is one of the prime candidates for departure.
“To be honest the number is too high,” he said, “and we will let some players go because too much competition for places is detrimental.”
For some reason I see him doing well at a Liverpool-esque club. Don’t Everton need a striker? Oh right, Rooney… heh.
I don’t think that he’s quite the standard Everton are looking for. Actually, I’m really surprised that they weren’t in for Iheanacho, possibly due to City insisting on a buyback? He could have been great at Everton but Leicester seems a good move too.
Crystal Palace, West Ham, Newcastle United seem more Perez’s level.
Looking at Evertons buys this window I’d suggest that he’s better than the standard they’re looking for. However they are looking for younger players…
Good move for him and Newcastle.
Yep. Just a shame the deal won’t get done in time for the opening match. Would have loved to see him score a couple against the Spuds!
i like him a lot…just going to newcastle will be a good option for him as he is already 28 and he has skills…and the newly promoted club will certainly provide the game time he needs.
Think they’ll love him there. Always seemed a handful when he got time with us and a worker too. Part of me would like to see Newcastle get their shit together and build a decent team (so long as they bend over for us twice a year!) Had a few fun days out at SJP.
There was a time when Deportivo and valencia were the teams to beat in LA liga.
Valencia, much like Sevilla, always choked when it came to the crunch, though
Except when they won La Liga twice in the early 2000s under Benitez.
Neither team has consistently vied with Barca and Real.
Can’t believe more prem clubs aren’t in for him. Total bargain here for someone
yea…totally and getting a player like him in €15m especially in thia crazy market is like flat 50% off
Absolute bargain for a quality striker, when you consider an average right back can go for 45 million quid.
I think he would be a brilliant signing for Newcastle. Very Newcastle type of striker. I hope he gets his move
Shame he wasn’t given the games he deserved. I’d understand it more if he hadn’t performed when called upon, but he always did. Still I’d rather Giroud stay and Perez go. I hope he does well in the rest of his career.
“I like the player because I have good friends in Coruña.”
Now that’s a good reasoning, Rafa!
I think it’s pretty obvious that he meant that, because of his friends, he either followed Coruña and so watched him play a lot or that his friends gave him a lot of info on Lucas and what he’s like week in week out and in training. Or both. Certainly not, as you imply, that it’s just because he has friends there!!
Irony?
Loan! Loan! Loan!
Get in Rafa, don’t stop at talking. Get yourself an LP it’s going to be a long season and you need one.
For Lucas who says he wants to be on the plane to Russia with the Spanish Football team, Rafa’s Newcastle is worth it (although I personally think it’s hopeless to try but Morata might stink – Lord knows I’d be glad if he stunk and it’s nothing personal – and that might provide Lucas with a chance)
Wishful thinking
Bottom line, show us the money Rafa
Get it done
“….too much competition for places is detrimental” – how would he know as it’s never happened before?
Loan with a sell-on clause?
Any Gooners out there wanna help me by filling out my Dissertation Survey, will only take 5 minutes, thank you! https://kclbs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Rv6TGWNQGHJsvr
I did it a couple of days ago. You need to sort it out a bit. If you answer no, to following Arsenal stories on social media you shouldn’t really need to answer the next 5 questions- but I’m afraid you have to! Just some friendly advise my man, to a fellow gooner! Great other than that and a very interesting topic to choose. All the best with it! Sorry for boring the rest of you guys…
Done. As for the question about streaming services, if you had a tick box for ‘an illegal stream of beIN sports’ I bet it would have more clicks on that than the other options combined.
Put your money where you mouth is then
Shame to go to Newcastle.
I’m sure he will have offers elsewhere. He’s quality.