Leeds United could make a late and surprising move for Ayoze Perez...

What's the word?

That's according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, who provided GIVEMESPORT with an update on the Whites' transfer plans heading into the final few days of the January window.

"I think that one name to keep an eye on, potentially, could be Ayoze Perez," he said.

"He hasn’t done well at Leicester but proved that, if given a run of form, he could be valuable to a Premier League club from his Newcastle days."

It remains to be seen whether the Foxes would be open to selling their £30m man, and for how much. The Spaniard is currently valued at around €7.6m (£6.6m) by FootballTransfers.

Better than Aaronson

Whilst it is true that Perez has faltered in recent times at the King Power Stadium, his charges wouldn't have been helped by the form of players such as James Maddison and Youri Tielemans, so he could finally come out of the shadow under the stewardship of Jesse Marsch.

Between 2014 and 2020, the 29-year-old delivered Premier League, largely with the Magpies but that does include his maiden campaign in the Midlands.

A goal or assist every 221 minutes in the top-flight are pretty respectable returns, especially when playing in a multitude of roles, ranging from the no.10 to out on both flanks, whilst he has even played as a centre-forward too.

Even despite his lack of game time this season, Perez has caught the eye with creative cameos, ones that put him performing at a better level than Leeds' summer signing Brenden Aaronson.

Per FBref, the Foxes outcast is outranking the American dynamo for goal-creating actions (0.47 vs 0.29), progressive passes (3.33 vs 2.13) and expected goals and assists (0.62 vs 0.32) per 90.

The former RB Salzburg sensation looked to be an exciting signing in the early stages of the season but in the last 17 appearances in both league and cup action, he has provided just one assist. Perez, meanwhile, has provided one assist from just 379 minutes of action all campaign.

Once upon a time, the Spanish playmaker was earning lofty comparisons to Lionel Messi - at least in the eyes of ex-Magpies boss Rafa Benitez - whilst Alan Pardew once dubbed him a "special talent" via The Athletic's Chris Waugh.

With the need to find further creativity and goal threat besides Rodrigo, it could make the world of sense for director of football Victor Orta to launch a late move for the Premier League-proven Perez.

Marsch's blind faith in his fellow countryman isn't going to help Leeds' quest to stay in the big-time, so a move for the Leicester ace could force his hand and in turn, help the squad in the final third.

AND in other news, Forget Bamford: Leeds' "clinical" 95-touch machine proved everyone wrong vs Accrington...