Former Newcastle striker who led Toon to Championship title ‘set for shock Barcelona transfer aged 33’

BARCELONA could make a shock move for former Newcastle star Ayoze Perez if they can’t sign Julian Alvarez. That’s according to Catalan outlet Sport, who say the veteran Spanish striker has shot to the top of the LaLiga champions’ target list. Ayoze Perez reportedly linked for blockbuster Barcelona move Credit: Getty Images – Getty Julian Alvarez is Barca’s top target but time is running out Credit: Getty With the departures of Ferran Torres to Paris Saint-Germain and Robert Lewandowski to the MLS, Barcelona need a replacement. They had hoped to have sealed a mega-money transfer for Atletico and Argentina superstar Alvarez by now. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! But Atleti are holding firm and refusing to sell, having already rejected a £130MILLION offer from Real Madrid earlier in the summer. Barca chiefs still hope to get the 26-year-old before the end of the transfer window. But time is ticking and they are now looking at alternatives. Arsenal‘s Viktor Gyokeres has been mentioned after his underwhelming debut season at the Emirates. But reports now suggest Villarreal star Perez, 33, is being considered. Perez scored only five goals in 25 games for the Spanish side last season. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Perez, who has played would be a shock signing for Barca Credit: AFP or licensors Villareal could lose Perez to La Liga champions But he spent almost a decade of his career in England with both Newcastle and Leicester. He won the Championship with the Toon in 2016/17, as well as the FA Cup with the Foxes in 2021. And he was in Spain‘s victorious squad for Euro 2024. But an unlikely switch to Barca would easily be the biggest move of his career. With a front line already including summer signing Anthony Gordon, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Adeyemi and Dani Olmo, Perez would optimistic to expect many minutes. Comment now