Bayer Leverkusen reportedly interested in Carles Perez
AS Roma's Carles Perez supposedly unleashes another clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Real Betis.
Carles Perez is looking for a change of scenery after just playing 330 Serie A minutes under Jose Mourinho this season. AS Roma paid a fee around of €13 million just a season ago, after Perez's loan came to an end.
The player groomed in La Masia convinced in his first season in Italy, but since the Portuguese coach took charge, the winger has seen his playing time diminished quickly.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Bayer Leverkusen are interested in the player as a market opportunity and a quality substitute for Moussa Diaby.
The Frenchman's future is still a bit of a mystery, as Diaby is constantly linked with a move to a top club, especially to the Premier League.
Mundo Deportivo echoed the information and said that the German club has kept tabs on Perez since his FC Barcelona days.
Marca's report on the news is that Leverkusen views Perez as a low cost-high reward transfer. With the winger not being particularly expensive and with big enough room of improvement to earn some dividends on a future sale.
Bayer would not be the only Bundesliga club interested in the AS Roma winger. Their biggest competitor is said to be Real Betis, who they faced in the Europa League group stages.
Real Betis are searching for a replacement for the almost official departures of Cristian Tello and Diego Lainez.
The former is out of contract while the latter has not shown enough to stay in Manuel Pellegrini's squad.
The Andalusians could offer Carles Perez more playing time and a return to his homeland with one of this season's most exciting clubs.
Although the Spanish winger might be eager to join Betis, there are a couple of arguments in favor of Die Werkself.
Carles Perez's salary is a bit too high for Los Verdiblancos despite the winger allegedly preferring having more playing time. With Leverkusen, the Catalonian would not have to renounce his salary and would have a bigger exposure internationally.
Another influential aspect might be how both teams finish the season. Leverkusen currently sit third with a UCL spot, three points clear of Leipzig, while Betis sit fifth, fighting with Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid.