Barcelona Transfer News: Ayoze Perez Targeted, Latest Blaugrana Rumours

Newcastle United striker Ayoze Perez has reportedly emerged as a surprise candidate for Barcelona to snap up in the summer.

According to the Mirror's Dave Kidd, the Spaniard has been scouted by the Catalan giants and is being considered as a back-up to their indomitable front three.

Perez will reportedly replace Munir el Haddadi and Sandro Ramirez, both of whom are set to leave the Camp Nou, according to Kidd.       

The Spaniard arrived from Tenerife last season and netted seven goals in his impressive debut campaign. Perez has scored six times and assisted twice in the Premier League this year in a more difficult season for the youngster.

Of course, 13 goals in two seasons is well below what would be expected of him at Barca even as a back-up, though in Perez's defence, he has largely been deployed in midfield this year and has been playing for a club that have struggled for several years.

The club recently announced that the 22-year-old has signed a new deal at St. James' Park that will keep him at the club until 2021:

Further, per the Chronicle's Lee Ryder, Perez is enjoying life under Rafa Benitez. He said: "It’s really good that he’s here, for me and the team. We are doing really well. Things are changing at the club and we can see that."

However, Benitez seems unlikely to stay if the Magpies go down—and despite his best efforts, they may well do so, as Sunderland have a game in hand and Jermain Defoe in good form—and Perez could join the seemingly inevitable exodus of players if it happens.

Regardless, while Perez has shown his potential, and his form would likely improve when surrounded by the players Barca have and the ammunition they could give him, he's not playing at the required level to justify such a move.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

In other news, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has revealed he is content with life in Barcelona and does not want to leave despite only playing in cup competitions and the UEFA Champions League.

According to Toni Frieros of Sport, an offer has been made for him from "an important club in the Premier League," while Marc Williams of the Daily Star lists Liverpool and Manchester City among those linked to him.

However, per Jamie Styles of the Daily Star, Ter Stegen said: 

"

I'm very happy here and I want to stay here, with the life I have. It's a lovely place to live. 

You can never relax and you always have to give everything. Both myself and Claudio [Bravo] and Jordi [Masip] want to play and we work week after week to do so. 

I think that this idea is good for the team, too, because we're always ready.

"

Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez believes the German has a bright future ahead of him, while football journalist Dermot Corrigan revealed the remarkable distribution he's capable of:

Indeed, Ter Stegen staying is good news for Barcelona, who boast two reliable stoppers in himself and Bravo.

Should the 33-year-old Bravo consider retirement somewhere down the line or suffer a dip in form, Barca have a ready-made young replacement who could take over his duties and become the unquestionable No. 1 at the Camp Nou.