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Ayoze Perez has, per the Daily Mirror, been linked with a move away from Newcastle United.

The Spanish striker, who scored a hat-trick as the Magpies beat Southampton 3-1 on Saturday, has reportedly attracted interest from his homeland.

And he spoke after his hat-trick of the possibility of a departure when the transfer window reopens.

He said: “In the summer, there are going to be options.

“That means I have done ­something well. I'll be up for hearing what is coming, but it doesn’t mean I am going to leave 100 per cent at the end of the season.

“It is going to be a difficult decision and depends on a lot of things.”

Football FanCast takes a look at the potential consequences of a Perez exit from St James’ Park…

A Benitez demand

If Perez leaves, Newcastle have to replace him.

Rafael Benitez may not be backed to the hilt – he rarely is by owner Mike Ashley – but replacing the Spaniard will have to be a priority.

He has scored 11 goals in all competitions this season and is the club’s top scorer, with one more than Salomon Rondon.

Seeing the club’s most prolific marksman walk away from the club without a replacement being lined up would likely set Benitez’s blood boiling.

Ashley must ensure that does not happen.

A promotion

Elias Sorensen is surely ready for the Newcastle first-team.

A Denmark Under-21 international, Sorensen has scored 15 goals in 33 outings for the Under-18 side at St James’ Park, along with 16 in 22 for the Under-23s.

A loan spell at Blackpool didn’t work out because he didn’t play – he made just one appearance – but his goalscoring record speaks for itself at youth level.

He has yet to make his first-team debut for the club but that could come about next season, particularly if Perez is gone.

More weight given to bargains

Newcastle signed Perez for £1.5million over four years ago, when Alan Pardew was manager.

He will likely earn Newcastle more than twenty times that should he leave this summer, particularly in today’s inflated market.

And that could spell bad news for Benitez.

Ashley has always looked to drive a hard bargain. After all, the signing of Miguel Almiron in January was the first transfer ever to cost the club over £20m.

The sale of Perez and the profit turned would surely lend some weight to Ashley’s recruitment strategy, with bargains again sought.

It remains to be seen if Benitez will stick around to see who comes through the doors, however.