Ayoze Perez has opened up about the partnership he has formed with Salomon Rondon this season during the Venezuelan’s loan spell at St James’ Park.
Newcastle are believed to interested in re-signing Rondon this summer, according to the Chronicle, after the striker scored 11 Premier League goals for the Magpies during his season-long loan move from West Bromwich Albion.
Perez and Rondon linked up very well at Newcastle this season, with the pair becoming the first duo for the Magpies to reach double figures since both Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse in the 2011/12 season, and the Spaniard has reflected on the relationship they have formed this year.
“We’ve got an amazing relationship. If he gets the chance to give me a goal, he’ll do it. And it’s the same the other way around. The main thing is to win matches and it means a lot,” Perez told the Chronicle.
OPINION
Perez and Rondon’s partnership was a key factor in Rafa Benitez’s side securing a successive mid-table Premier League finish this season. The pair linked up brilliantly at times with Rondon’s physical presence and awareness affording Perez more freedom in the final third, which the Spaniard profited from going onto the have his most fruitful spell in front of goal in a Newcastle shirt this campaign. The January addition of club record signing Miguel Almiron enabled Benitez to deploy Perez further up the field in the second half of the season, and that is when the Spaniard’s relationship with Rondon started to really flourish. Both players managed to reach double figures in the Premier League, and Newcastle will be hoping to have the pair together again next season, but that will depend on whether the Magpies can negotiate a permanent deal with West Brom for Rondon. Perez’s comments suggests that he is wanting the club do that and allow him to link up with the forward again next term, something which Newcastle supporters will be equally keen to see happen.