Newcastle shouldn’t sell Ayoze Perez – he’s already proved invaluable

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Newcastle United attacker Ayoze Perez is supposedly a transfer target for Real Betis in January.

The Spaniard, a 2014 signing from Tenerife, has made 155 appearances for the club to date and has been a regular in the side since pitching up at St. James’ Park.

Of late though, Perez has faced a fresh challenge to keep his place in the side from new signing Yoshinori Muto, who plays the same kind of role as he does just off the main striker.

It looks as though Salomon Rondon will be the team’s number nine, with Kenedy and Matt Ritchie the wide men, so Perez’s place is under genuine threat right now.

It’s led to speculation that he could be moved on in January, with El Gol Digital reporting that Betis want to capitalise on Newcastle’s interest in Yacine Brahimi.

Should Newcastle be selling?

Newcastle might not want to get rid of Perez just yet.

Last season, the Spaniard had a similar start but finished the 2017/18 campaign in great form to guide his struggling team to safety.

He scored big goals against Huddersfield Town, Leicester City, Arsenal and also hit a brace against Chelsea in May.

His contributions were immense, and allowed Newcastle to reach the dizzy heights of 10th after flirting with relegation for most of the season.

Perez blows hot and cold, but perhaps he’s worth keeping hold of until the end of the current season in case another relegation battle looms.

He’s proved before that he can come up trumps when his team need him.