One of the more surprising moves of this transfer window so far was Ayoze Perez joining Leicester City from Newcastle United.
The striker had a good season for the Magpies last year and all indications, mainly from him, had been he would be returning to Spain.
However, the Foxes swooped in quickly to secure a £30m move and add him to Brendan Rodgers’ squad for next season.
It seems, though, that at one point he could have been on his way back to Spain. El Desmarque report that Valencia had been in contact with him and were keen on taking him to the Mestalla.
However, the La Liga club ‘could never reach the 30 million pounds’ offered by the Foxes and considered that price tag ‘exorbitant’. They instead turned their focus elsewhere and are now signing Maxi Gomez from Celta Vigo.
María José Pérez, Ayoze’s cousin recently gave an interview to ElDorsal.com and suggested Valencia was closer than it seems.
“It was great news for the whole family, especially I am happy for him,” she said.
“It’s an honour and pride to have a cousin like that. When he told us when he signed, you can imagine how happy we are, changing cities will be good for him and he will take advantage of that opportunity in Leicester, I’m sure.
“I did not care if it was Valencia or England, as long as he is happy, he’s worth it, Valencia had it done to sign him but Leicester’s conditions were unbeatable.”
