Tottenham are on the verge of signing Newcastle United forward Ayoze Perez, according to Calcio Napoli.
The forward hit 13 goals in all competitions for the Magpies this season, and has reportedly been the subject of a £24.7 million bid from Spurs.
The report also states that Erik Lamela is headed for the exit this summer, and that Perez is being lined up as a replacement for the £80,000-a-week Argentine [Spotrac].
Good move for Tottenham?
There are two parts to this really. Firstly, is getting rid of Lamela the right thing to do? It may seem harsh, but the answer is probably yes. The South American hasn’t really hit the heights that he promised to in north London, and this season in particular has felt like a bit of a let down. Secondly, would Perez be the right man to replace him? Potentially, yes. The Spaniard has sometimes struggled for form on Tyneside, but since Salomon Rondon and Miguel Almiron have joined him at St. James’ Park, he has really started to look like the real deal. The message is a clear one then: put him in a decent side and he will thrive. Lord only knows what he could achieve at Spurs.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
You would not be shocked in the slightest if Lamela left the club this summer, and Perez has been dropping hints about leaving Newcastle for some time now. Admittedly, most of them have given the impression that he favours a return to Spain, but this report makes it sound as if a deal is in the offing. It’s hard to say whether it will come off, but certainly, it is not the most outlandish rumour you will hear this summer.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10