Manchester United Transfer News: Ayoze Perez Hopes Threatened by Spurs Bid

Manchester United will reportedly have to go up against Tottenham Hotspur if they want to sign Newcastle United's Ayoze Perez in the January transfer window.

According to David Coverdale in the Sun, Spurs are readying a new year move for the Spanish forward, who is also of interest to the Red Devils.

The north London club went in for Perez in the summer, but their approach was rejected by the Magpies, as revealed by the player himself recently, per Coverdale: "There was interest from Tottenham, especially Mauricio Pochettino. It’s a very nice compliment for me. In the end it did not work because Newcastle considered me too important and would not let me leave."

It seems that Perez, 22, could be open to a move away from St James' Park if the right bid came in to persuade Newcastle to part with one of their star players.

He is reportedly valued at £15 million, very much affordable for both Spurs and United.

Given Tottenham's lack of back-up players for Harry Kane up front, it is unsurprising they are interested in signing up Perez and they may have a head start on United given that they have enquired about him previously.

However, if United are set on bringing Perez in they should have the financial heft to win a transfer battle against Spurs.

It is far from guaranteed, though, that the former Tenerife player would succeed at Old Trafford as he has not proven himself at the very top level.

United's problems of late have been in front of goal. They have only scored two goals from open play in their last five games and striker and captain Wayne Rooney continues to struggle for form, per football writer Daniel Storey:

The addition of Perez to Louis van Gaal's squad is unlikely to rectify the issue.

In his Newcastle career over the last two seasons he has managed only 10 goals in 46 appearances, per WhoScored.com. 

Van Gaal would be better served working with the young talent he has—James Wilson, Memphis Depay, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial—than going up against Spurs in a battle for Perez's signature.