Ayoze Perez scored a stunning hat-trick for Newcastle United on Saturday, showing off his complete skill-set with three unique goals for the Magpies.
A lovely swept finish to the bottom left hand corner, a tenacious tap-in at the far post, and an improvised header propelled Newcastle to a triumphant home win over Southampton.
Yet despite the joy of the victory, which essentially secured safety for Newcastle, the club’s supporters should be worried by Perez’s transfer comments following the match.
“In the summer, there are going to be options. That means I have done something well. I’ll be up for hearing what is coming, but it doesn’t mean I am going to leave 100 percent at the end of the season,” Perez said in comments reported by the Mirror. “It is going to be a difficult decision and depends on a lot of things.”
The Spanish attacker hardly quelled rumours of a possible departure, and the Mirror reported clubs from his home country were interested in a summer move for Perez.
Usually, when a player is linked with a move away from a club, he simply avoids the question and asserts he is just focused on the season at hand.
But far from downplaying the links, Perez actively stoked the fire by announcing his “options” for the summer.
Newcastle supporters have every right to be fearful of Perez’s exit, as his comments failed to paint a picture of a player committed to a future at St. James’ Park.
