Jamaal Lascelles believes it is crucial that Newcastle United retain Ayoze Perez's services this summer, with the captain describing the Spaniard as a "massive player" for the Magpies.
The 25-year-old scored his first-ever hat-trick for United during Saturday's 3-1 victory over Southampton, a win which took Newcastle to the 41-point mark and secured their Premier League status for another season.
But, shortly after the game, Ayoze Perez casts doubt over his Newcastle future just moments after scoring first NUFC hat-trick, and admitted that he will consider whichever "offers" come his way this summer.
Ayoze Perez casts doubt over his Newcastle future just moments after scoring first NUFC hat-trick
It is understood that at least three La Liga clubs have shown an interest in the forward, who Newcastle signed from Tenerife for just £1.5million back in 2014, and they are expected to bid for Perez during the upcoming transfer window.
Yet Magpies skipper Lascelles does not want to see a vital member of the United starting XI depart, particularly considering Perez is now United's top scorer this season with 11 in all competitions, 10 of which have come in the Premier League.
“Of course. He is a massive player for us, that’s his 10th Premier League goal. It would be nice to keep him," Lascelles said of Perez's future.
Perez's upturn in form over the past three months has coincided with Miguel Almiron's arrival at the club in January.
Since then, Rafa Benitez has deployed a 3-4-3 formation, with Perez and Almiron operating just behind Salomon Rondon, on the right and left respectively.
In Lascelles' opinion, this new system has brought the best out of Perez, who is now finding himself in dangerous positions to be able to positively influence Newcastle's attacking play.
And seemingly the Newcastle centre-back does not envy opposition defenders attempting to deal with Perez at the moment, with Lascelles having experienced first hand during training just how difficult the Spaniard is to stop given his trickery, evasive dribbling style and general impressive form.
“Recently he has been unreal, in training and in games," Lascelles said of Perez, who has netted all of Newcastle's last four goals, and has scored in seven of his last nine appearances.
"He’s not the fastest of players but he just skips by players. I don’t know what it is, his balance or his dribbling.
"He works so hard, too. He is up there with the most interceptions [made] as well, most tackles. He does do a lot of the dirty work, as well as scoring goals. He has been a key player for us this season.
“He is so smart. We’ve got a runner on one side with Miguel, and Ayo likes it to his feet and to link play. I think we have really found a good balance.
"With the change of formation, I guess that suits him really well, just right of the front three."
Rafa Benitez namechecks the players Miguel Almiron has helped improve since he joined Newcastle
Ayoze Perez is good enough to play for Spain - but can still improve for Newcastle, believes Benitez
