According to French football website espoirsdufootball.com, Marseille have been ‘extensively scouting’ Newcastle United’s Ayoze Perez in recent weeks and are weighing up a summer move for the Spaniard.
Whilst the 23 year-old has been far from his best this season, indications suggest Benitez would be reluctant to let him go, appearing to have faith in his potential and a long-term plan for the player.
It must be said, Perez’s development has stagnated over the past year or two and I can’t help but wonder if a significant bid from Marseille (who look set to spend big this summer) could tempt Newcastle into doing business, given every player has their price.
Perez is, however, becoming an enigma at Newcastle. He broke on the the scene in unexpected fashion in his early days at the club, showing real spark and providing a genuine threat in a struggling Premier League side. This season it was hoped he would shine following a drop down to the Championship, but if the truth be told, he has often struggled with the physicality of the league, appearing to adjust less ably to the Championship than he did to the Premier League.
Whilst Perez has frustrated this season, he appears to be lacking in confidence and I hope to see Ayoze stay with the club.
Given he is still just 23 and has proven his top flight capabilities in the past, I would be keen to see how he develops under Benitez’s watchful eye.
See below for a nice little reminder of what Ayoze is capable of:
