According to reports, newly promoted side Newcastle United are now eyeing a move for Arsenal’s want away striker Lucas Perez. The Spaniard has been on Arsenal’s fringes since the end of last season as their tough finish to the league didn’t allow manager Arsene Wenger to experiment with his new recruits.
And the forward hasn’t been quiet in expressing his concern with his current situation at the club either. The former La Liga man has even alleged the side of giving his number 9 shirt to their latest man Alexandre Lacazette without consulting him. The manager was asked about it in the post-match press conference of Arsenal’s Emirates Cup win on Sunday but he didn’t choose to reveal anything.
The 28-year-old is a goner this summer from the Emirates camp in all probability and Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez isn’t willing to let go of this opportunity to land the exciting striker. The Mags have had a horrible summer transfer season so far with the Championship winners mostly dealing with club rejects or unproven prospects.
Despite having a great campaign in the second-tier last season, where the Toon army dominated every aspect of the game compared to the other sides, Benitez knows pretty well that he will need a surge in quality in his squad if they are to compete or even survive in the top flight next season.
In the likes of Dwight Gayle, Mohamed Diame, Ayoze Perez and Jacob Murphy, Benitez has a bunch of hard working individuals who have little experience of the Premier League. And unlike Middlesbrough last season, the Spanish gaffer will not want to make a slow start to their campaign at any cost.
Lucas Perez could be a serious upgrade to the side by all means. The left footed forward has been one of Arsenal’s most prolific goal scorers last season. In just the 19 chances that he got last season, which mostly consisted of EFL Cup action, Champions League group games and coming off the bench for the Premier League games, Perez has managed to score six goals and three assists.
He has been tremendously effective from the right attacking midfield position where he bagged three goals in two appearances. Though injuries remain a concern with him that kept him out of contention for Arsenal’s attacking line for most of the last season, his sublime left foot could help Newcastle United massively.
The Atletico Madrid youth product has tremendous speed up front and the eye for the perfect key pass. With youngsters like Perez and Murphy running ahead of him, Newcastle’s attack could be fearsome with the Spaniard in their ranks. But is he right man for the job?
