Sevilla chief Monchi reportedly heading to England to try and lure Perez and Lejeune

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Sevilla general director Monchi is heading to England this week and has his sights set on two Newcastle players, according to Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo.

They report that when a club chief makes a personal visit, he is serious about getting his man and Ayoze Perez and Florian Lejeune are on his radar.

The report says that Monchi has tried to sign Lejeune, who joined Newcastle for a reported (BBC) £8.7 million in 2017, in the last two summers and will go again for him in the current window.

Meanwhile, it also says he has not been put off by a 30 million euro (£26.8 million) asking price for Perez and is looking to bring him back to Spain.

Sevilla will play in next season’s Europa League, having finished sixth in La Liga last term, which may add another layer of interest for two players given the opportunity to return to their home country.

Lejeune’s situation is complicated by the long-term injury he currently has, but when fit and on form, he is well worthy of a place in Newcastle’s first-choice back three.

Meanwhile, Perez is an often underrated cog in the Newcastle machine. While the supporters may long for a more consistently creative number 10, the Spaniard always works hard and the fact he is eyed by a club playing continental football is an indication of his qualities.

Monchi does not appear to be in the mood for messing around given that he’s making the trip himself and given the uncertainty around Newcastle right now, that could spell trouble.