Throughout his Newcastle United period, Ayoze Perez spoke to the Spanish media and talked up a transfer continually.
Whenever he’d had a good performance, there was a reasonable chance interviews would pop up in Spain a few days later, with Perez hinting about a move to La Liga. There were also hints of interest from the biggest clubs in the player’s home country, so it was something of a surprise when he signed for Leicester City.
Those links to clubs such as Real Madrid never felt realistic, but a switch to Spain still seemed a likely scenario.
Now when Perez speaks to the Spanish media, he doesn’t talk about transfers, instead concentrating on how good a club he’s found Leicester to be, and how impressed he’s been by his teammates and ‘great coach’ Brendan Rodgers.
Speaking to Marca, Perez was asked what it’s like to play alongside Jamie Vardy, and he said: “He is a great striker, one of the best in Europe. The numbers speak for themselves. He makes everything easier for you. He is very fast and that, for those of us behind, sometimes favours us.”
Given Vardy is unquestionably the first choice striker, Perez has been pushed out wide, and it’s a role he’s getting used to: “I am adjusting to a position where I have barely 
played in my career. I try to contribute from this new role, reach the area. As I have been a forward, I always have the goal in mind. Maybe sometimes I don’t do as much wing work… but in the area I always generate occasions of danger.”
Given how often he’s made it clear the dream to play for Spain still exists, Marca asked Perez about it: “Of course, I keep that in mind. Now Euro 2020 has been delayed and there is a year left to work, press and make it as complicated as possible for the coach.”
