Leeds United could look at a late move for Leicester City’s Ayoze Perez, according to reporter Ben Jacobs.
The Lowdown: McKennie move
The Whites look set to seal another marquee January signing in Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.
The USA international has agreed on personal terms with Leeds, who have reached an agreement with the Serie A giants over an initial loan deal with an option to make the move permanent in the summer.
The Latest: 'Keep an eye on' Perez
Perez is now into the final six months of his contract at Leicester and can play as a centre-forward, second striker or right winger. The Spaniard was once valued at €30m (£26.3m) by Transfermarkt in 2019 but that figure has dropped to €6m (£5.3m) after making just three starts in the Premier League this season.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs said that Leeds could look into a move for Perez, who he believes could be a ‘valuable’ player if he can return to his best form.
The CBS Sports reporter said in relation to possible incomings at Elland Road: “I think that one name to keep an eye on, potentially, could be Ayoze Perez. He hasn’t done well at Leicester but proved that, if given a run of form, he could be valuable to a Premier League club from his Newcastle days.”
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The Verdict: Not needed
The Whites have added to their attacking ranks this month by bringing in Georginio Rutter for a club-record fee. The 20-year-old made his first appearance for the club in the FA Cup win over Accrington Stanley and looked sharp considering that he hadn’t played since November.
Jesse Marsch now has plenty of attacking talent at his disposal over the coming months, including Jack Harrison, Wilfried Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson, Crysencio Summerville, Luis Sinisterra, Rodrigo, Patrick Bamford and Rutter.
Leeds even decided to send Joe Gelhardt out on loan to Sunderland due to their strength in depth in the final third, so you could say that a move for Perez won’t be needed, despite Jacobs' claim.