Manchester United set to swoop on Newcastle for striker

Manchester United are set to raid St James’ Park in the New Year, with Ayoze Perez thought to be on Louis van Gaal’s radar.

Reports suggest both United and Tottenham will attempt to use the Magpies’ current woes to woo the 22-year-old Spaniard away from the north-east when the transfer window re-opens.

Perez, a £1m signing from Tenerife in 2014, has scored just one goal this season, but both Louis van Gaal and Mauricio Pochettino are thought to have seen something in the youngster and believe he has the attributes to hit higher heights at their respective clubs.

According to the Newcastle Chronicle, the striker is focused on helping the Toon get out their current predicament, but the newspaper has revealed that the Spaniard is a big fan of Sir Alex Ferguson, who is still a hugely influential figure at Old Trafford.

United shelled out £36m for Anthony Martial in the summer and the Frenchman has started life in England with a bang, but the Red Devils still look light up front with Wayne Rooney and James Wilson – who has been linked with a loan move to Celtic – the only other recognised strikers at the club.

It would not be the first time United have raided Newcastle for a striker, with Toon fans up in arms back in 1995 when Andy Cole was allowed to leave for £6m plus Keith Gillespie.

Cole had scored 55 goals in 70 league games for the magpies and while Perez’s contribution so far pales in significance the supporters will still be irked to see a future prospect leave.

Perez would have to score more than 121 goals for United to eclipse Cole and while this may seem unlikely, with his best years of his career ahead of him United could be onto a winner with this new line of enquiry.

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