Leicester City have confirmed the arrival of Ayoze Perez from Newcastle United after the Spaniard passed his medical with the club earlier today.
Perez has signed a four year deal with the club, and the Foxes paid a fee of £30 million for the 25-year old, as per the BBC.
The Foxes are unlikely to stop their summer spending as they are also closing in on a deal to bring back Youri Tielemans, this time on a permanent deal.
Perez, who joined Newcastle United in 2014 from Tenerife for just €3 million, has been consistently good for the Magpies, and was the club’s top scorer in the 2018-19 season.
“Ayoze will be a wonderful addition to the squad. He’s a player who will excite our fans,” Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers was quoted as saying by the BBC.
“He’s quick, has a good eye for goal and he’s experienced in the Premier League too.”
A smart move by Leicester to sign Ayoze Perez
With uncertainty surrounding Newcastle United yet again, this time following the departure of manager Rafa Benitez, the Foxes moved in quickly to sign Perez, in what many are claiming to be a bargain.
Perez has been one of Newcastle’s best players over the last few years as he has chipped in with goals and assists in every season that he’s been at the club.
The Spanish star is just 25 years old and has several years at the top of the game. His experience, goal-scoring ability, and work rate, as well as his direct dribbling makes him a very good signing for the Foxes.
Capable of playing as a striker, attacking midfielder, or as a wide right player, Perez has scored 48 goals and 17 assists in 195 games for the club, becoming a firm fan-favourite at St James’ Park.
Manager Brendan Rodgers currently has Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho as his options up front, while James Maddison has made the attacking midfielder/second striker role his own with his fantastic performances in the 2018-19 campaign.
Perez’s arrival will increase the competition for places in the Leicester starting lineup, who are slated to be one of the dark horses ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
If Perez can quickly integrate himself into Rodgers’ system and continue scoring goals, Leicester will be able to give the top six a run for their money next season.
