Monday, 10th November, 2014
Alan Pardew has insisted that Newcastle United had to beat some of Europe’s top clubs to sign striker Ayoze Perez.
The 21-year-old, who joined the Magpies from Tenerife for £1.5m in the summer, scored his third Premier League goal in as many games during his side’s 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion yesterday.
And Pardew explained that Newcastle United’s determination to bring Perez to St James' Park was pivotal in warding off interest from “some big clubs”, especially Portuguese giants FC Porto.
"We scouted him throughout last year", he told the BBC.
"He was being courted by some big clubs, particularly Porto.
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"But he loved the way we were so determined to bring him to this club."
Pardew further added that the chance of playing in front of a big crowd every week also prompted Perez to choose Newcastle over other clubs.
"Of course, there's also the fact he would be playing in front of 50,000 Geordies every week at the third best-supported club in the country, or whatever it is we are”, he continued.
"It's a big magnet for any young player. He's been a great buy for us."
Perez, who scored 16 goals in 34 league appearances for Tenerife last season, is contracted with Newcastle until 2019.
He is yet to earn a senior cap for Spain, but has represented the nation at Under-21 level.
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