Newcastle forward Ayoze Perez is on Barcelona’s wanted list as they look to bring in a back-up striker for their Luis Suarez, Leo Messi and Neymar forward line.
The Spanish forward, who will be 24 on Friday, has been targeted by Barca’s Sporting Director Robert Fernandez but is likely to reject the advances because he wants to lead Newcastle’s promotion push this season.
Barca are having difficulty recruiting a forward this summer because any new arrival would face the prospect of very few first team starts in the shadow of Messi, Neymar and Suarez. Potential targets are staying at their clubs or moving elsewhere.
Newcastle United forward Ayoze Perez has emerged as a shock transfer target for Spanish giants Barcelona
Perez, here in pre-season action for Newcastle, has been targeted by Barca director Robert Fernandez
Nolito chose Manchester City over Barca for that very reason and now Sevilla striker Kevin Gameiro has joined Atletico Madrid where he will be the club’s first choice number nine.
Perez is happy under Rafa Benitez at Newcastle and confident he can play a big part in their attempt to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking so a move looks unlikely.
It’s a further indication, however, that Perez, who Newcastle signed from Tenerfife in 2014, has a burgeoning fan club back in Spain.
Last season there were calls for then-Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque to take a look at him ahead of Euro 2016 and Barca’s Fernandez has watched at close quarters before when Newcastle had mid-season warm-weather training in Spain.
Perez (right) celebrates Vurnon Anita’s goal in Newcastle’s pre-season win over Southend on Tuesday
Barcelona are struggling to sign a striker as any new face would be a back-up to Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi
While Barcelona consider Perez as a potential new signing, the Catalan giants are prepared to look at numerous other options.
AC Milan’s Colombian forward Carlos Bacca, who wants to play Champions League football, has been linked with the Nou Camp.
And on Wednesday, Mundo Deportivo report Bacca joins Mario Gomez, Lucas Perez and Alexandre Lacazette as other possible transfer targets.
On Tuesday Lyon revealed they had rejected a bid of nearly £30million from Arsenal for Lacazette, who scored 21 goals in 34 league appearances for the French side last season.
Deportivo forward Lucas Perez and Germany striker Gomez are also said to be options according to Mundo Deportivo, with the Germany striker having revealed he won’t be extending his loan spell with Turkish side Besiktas due to security fears in the country.
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