Newcastle United keen on Arsenal striker Lucas Perez

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has not been shy in talking about his club’s lack of transfer activity this summer.

The Magpies chief was promised significant funds by owner Mike Ashley at the start of the window, but until recently those funds had not materialised.

Benitez now has five through the door at St. James’s Park though, with more set to follow before the end of the window.

Arsenal’s Lucas Perez is firmly on the 58-year-old’s radar.

In-fact the ex-Real Madrid boss couldn’t have made his admiration for Perez much clearer following Newcastle’s 2-0 friendly victory over Hellas Verona at the weekend.

“I like the player because I have good friends in A Coruna”, Benitez told the Chronicle.

“I know that he did really well. He’s come here and not played in many games, but I like the player.”

The 5ft 11in forward has been a bit-part player at the Emirates since joining the club from Deportivo La Coruna last summer.

A record of eight goals in 22 appearances is not to be sniffed at though, and that also includes a Champions League hat-trick against FC Basel.

The Toon are in the market for another striker and we like the chances of Perez rocking up on the banks of the Tyne.

Our traders have him at 7/2 to sign for Newcastle this summer, while a move back to Deportivo is 5/2.