Manchester United Transfer News: Ayoze Perez Reacts to Red Devils, Spurs Rumours

Newcastle United forward Ayoze Perez has admitted it is flattering to be linked with clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Spaniard has been impressive since signing for the Magpies last summer and scored a memorable winning goal for his team deep into stoppage time against Spurs in their last match. Speaking with IBTimes UK (h/t Will Giles of Metro), the 22-year-old seemed to welcome the interest of the Premier League big boys.

“I just know the same as you,” said the Newcastle man. “What I hear, what I read. It is a great pleasure for me (to be linked with Man United and Spurs). It is incredible, something very big and that’s because I’m doing well but I must go on. It’s my job. You never know. Football takes many turns.”

However, Perez also admitted he is “very happy” with Newcastle and that he wants to “continue working with them.”

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It’s been a campaign of major ups and downs for Newcastle and Perez to this point. Steve McClaren’s side have been totally abject in some of their matches, but when they have come face to face with the top teams in the division, they have thrived.

Perez has been in and out of the team, too, not starting either of the last two wins over Liverpool and Spurs.

Nevertheless, there’s no denying the ability the Spain under-21 international possesses. Whether he’d be a fit at Louis van Gaal's Manchester United is another matter entirely, though, especially given the Red Devils’ recent struggles in front of goal.

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As Squawka Football noted ahead of United’s shock 2-1 loss to AFC Bournemouth, the strikers at the club have been starved of service this term:

Perez could potentially help aid in the goalscoring and creative stakes. The Newcastle man is a player who typically enjoys operating just off the centre-forward, roaming into pockets and linking the midfield with a lone striker. His intelligence, vision and craft on the ball make him ideal for the position too.

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Despite United’s attacking woes, the striker wouldn’t be guaranteed a regular starting spot at Old Trafford.

There’s still plenty of developing for him to do with Newcastle anyway. As we can see here courtesy of the man himself, Perez also seems pretty content with life in the north-east:

United could sign any attacking player in the world at the moment and even the greats would struggle to make an impact in a system that relies heavily on stagnant possession football.

So players like Perez, still looking to make their way in the game at the very top level, should think very carefully before moving to play for a manager who adheres to such dreary principles.

Even if United were playing a free-flowing brand of attacking football, it’s a move that’d be too early for Perez.