Some potentially big news coming from leading Spanish outlet TV Galicia, who claim Newcastle United are now favourites to land Arsenal striker Lucas Perez, with the club now happy to pay his €15m (£13.4m) asking price.
Benitez confirmed his interest in the want-away Spaniard after the Verona game on Sunday and, if this latest news emerging from continent is anything to go by, it appears Newcastle have made moves to sign their man.
#NUFC are willing to pay €15m for Lucas Perez and are now favourites to sign him! https://t.co/6nrhViuhqV
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) August 7, 2017
Galcian a big outlet in Spain. Big. Not likely to report this without grounds. #nufc
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) August 7, 2017
As stated above, Galicia is a one the leading outlets in Spain – which is promising to hear given we are in desperate need for a quality forward like Perez.
Perez turns 29 in September but, given his goal record over recent years and the inflated market are currently working in, £13.4m appears to be a bargain.
He can play up top, off the front or out wide and, despite failing to nail down a regular place in Arsene Wenger’s side, bagged an impressive 7 goals and 5 assists in just 9 starts for Arsenal last season.
#NUFC target Lucas Perez goals & assists – 2016/17 #AFC
9 starts – 7 goals, 5 assists ??⚫️⚪️@LP10oficial
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) August 1, 2017
With 25 goals and 14 assists in his last 44 starts, Perez represents the sort of quality striker our squad is sorely lacking.
Fingers crossed this one has some substance to it.
