Barcelona Identify This La Liga Winger As A Target: Should Xavi Get Him On Board? | OneFootball

In a recent report, AS claimed that Barcelona have identified Real Betis winger Ayoze Perez as a target for the upcoming transfer window. It has been stated that the Catalan club are eager to strengthen their attack by recruiting the Spanish wide player this summer.

Perez has enjoyed a decent campaign at the Spanish club recently as he has been responsible for putting in a string of eye-catching displays for them in the final third. The 30-year-old has banged in 11 goals and picked up a couple of assists in 37 matches for Real Betis this season across all fronts.

The Spanish wing wizard has been a reliable performer in the opponent’s half based on his average of 2.2 shots, 0.9 key passes and 1.6 dribbles per 90 minutes in La Liga. He has even been careful when distributing the ball in the final third after making 79.1% of his attempted passes in top-flight football (stats via whoscored).

Perez’s current contract at the Spanish club will run out in the summer of 2027 which could make it tough for Barca to recruit him later this year.

PAMPLONA, SPAIN – MAY 05: Ayoze Perez of Real Betis celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between CA Osasuna and Real Betis at Estadio El Sadar on May 05, 2024 in Pamplona, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Should Barcelona Boss Xavi Get Perez On Board This Summer?

Perez is a decent dribbler with the ball at his feet and has got the vision to engineer a few promising chances for his teammates on the offensive third of the field. He can shoot the ball with power and accuracy from long range.

The Spaniard has done well to chip in by scoring a handful of important goals for Real Betis this season. He already knows La Liga well and won’t take much time to adjust to life at the Nou Camp if Barcelona can find a way to land him this summer.

Perez is primarily a left-sided wide player but can also function as a centre-forward if asked to do so. He would no doubt add more firepower to Barca boss Xavi’s frontline. He is good enough to increase competition for places within the Catalan club‘s squad.

All in all, Barcelona would be wise to go all out to get Perez on board in the summer transfer period. At 30, he might still have a few good years left in him to play at a high level and could prove to be a good signing for the Catalan outfit in the short-term.