Spanish publication AS reported yesterday that Barcelona are lining up a move for one time West Ham striker Lucas Perez, having been given special dispensation by La Liga to sign an emergency forward, and some Hammers fans took to Twitter in reaction to the speculation.
The 31-year-old joined the east London outfit from Arsenal in the summer of 2018 for a fee believed to be worth £4 million (BBC).
Perez really struggled to establish himself with West Ham, however. He scored just six goals and provided zero assists in 19 games for West Ham (Transfermarkt).
The former Deportivo La Coruna forward was moved on to Alaves in the summer of 2019, for around £2.2 million (Sky Sports).
Perez excelling back in La Liga
In truth, he wasn’t given much of a chance at the London Stadium. And he might have just excelled, had he been kept and played alongside Sebastien Haller this season.
Perez has been a huge hit with Alaves, racking up nine goals and four assists in 22 games so far this season (Transfermarkt).
Considering West Ham’s current plight, maybe they should have kept hold of the Spaniard rather than sell him last summer.
Some Hammers fans have taken to Twitter in reaction to the news that Perez could be a target for La Liga giants Barcelona…
OMG they’re desperate lol
— Stephen George Lott (@stephenlott) February 12, 2020
He was not a bad striker. But that’s it. He is a pure striker. Ball in front of goal and he’ll put it in. Another one I’d have liked to see play with Haller
— KennyKen⚒️ (@KennyKen_COYI) February 12, 2020
perez has scored more than Haller this season 👀
— EESALFC (@EESALFC) February 12, 2020
Don’t worry #westham will have included a substantial sell on clause
Or not 😂#GSBOUT— gantshillhammer⚒ (@gantshillhammer) February 12, 2020
He’s clearly a talented striker when you look at his goal rate in laliga but he just wasn’t suited to the prem
— Charlie Holland ⚒️🧢 (@Charli3b01) February 12, 2020
He scored in every competition for us last season. Actually played well when given the support.
Like most strikers at West Ham, get played up top on their own.
— Forever_Boleyn (@Forever_Boleyn) February 12, 2020
Wind up
— Lord Irons (COYI) (@Lord_Irons) February 13, 2020
Barca sign many fridge players at a 28-32 age range that have plenty of La Liga and European experience mate. There’s been a weird ones in the last few years, but they know what they’re getting, decent squad players that don’t kick up a fuss but also want to win stuff.
— Forever_Boleyn (@Forever_Boleyn) February 13, 2020
This reminds me of Faubert going to Real Madrid
— Richie (@RichieTrucker) February 12, 2020
That’s about as West Ham as it gets.
— Christopher Grawe (@cgrawe) February 12, 2020
Faubert Real Madrid ⚒
— Mark Hexton ⚒⚒ (@Hammerhexy) February 12, 2020
They must be desperate
— Mike (@hammers_969) February 12, 2020
West ham. Where strikers come to die
— IronsmanJP (@IronsManJP) February 12, 2020