Newcastle United sold him abruptly in 2019, now he’s scored more goals than Vinicius Junior this season

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A former Newcastle United player who broke the hearts of thousands of Geordies has found success at his new club.

In the Premier League, the Magpies have been brilliant. Currently sitting third, it is looking likely that Eddie Howe’s side will return to the Champions League next season.

However, some may argue that their league position could have been even greater had they been able to keep hold of some of the players they sold last summer.

Elliot Anderson left Newcastle to help them avoid a points deduction for breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. The Magpies bagged around £35m from Anderson’s sale, but the move was not an easy one by any means.

In a recent interview, Anderson admitted that leaving Newcastle was tough, but ultimately realised that it was something he needed to do to help the club.

Elsewhere, Yankuba Minteh joined Brighton from Newcastle at the same time Anderson left. Newcastle fans never got to see Minteh play for the first team before he was moved on.

While supporters remember transfer woes from last summer, an exit from 2019 has left them wondering what would have happened if he had stayed.

• READ MORE – Alan Shearer names the two teams who will miss out on Champions League football after Newcastle United loss

Ayoze Perez having a fantastic season for Villarreal

Villarreal attacker Ayoze Perez joined the Magpies in 2014 from hometown club CD Tenerife. The Spaniard rejected moves to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Porto to join Newcastle and became a hero shortly after.

In his first season at the club, Perez scored seven goals in 36 Premier League appearances, but struggled to find the same form the season after.

Perez stayed with Newcastle in their Championship season and found his best form during the 2018/19 campaign with 12 goals.

That summer, Perez suddenly left Newcastle to join Leicester City for £30m. His exit matched the feeling of the club at the time, with fans frustrated at Mike Ashley for his approach to transfer windows.

In 2025, Perez is now 31 and is thriving in La Liga. The Spain International has scored 14 goals this season, three more than Vinicius Junior’s tally in the league.

His tally this season would put him second amongst Newcastle’s top scorers in the Premier League, just behind star striker Alexander Isak.

Perez won EURO 2024 with Spain and is now enjoying life back in his home country with Villarreal.

• READ MORE – Alexander Isak shares what his Newcastle United teammates have been giving him ‘stick’ about

Ayoze Perez could be reunited with Newcastle United next season

Perez wants to return to Newcastle one day, but the attacker seems to be enjoying life at Villarreal. While he may not be returning to Tyneside anytime soon, there could be a shocking reunion between the player and the club next season.

Villarreal are currently fifth in the top flight of Spanish football, which will be enough for Champions League qualification next season thanks to UEFA’s coefficient rules.

With Newcastle third in the league, they look set for a return to Europe’s top competition next season after missing out for the 2024/25 campaign.

If both teams qualify for the Champions League, there is a chance that the two teams will be drawn against each other. Perez can reunite with the team he left almost six years ago.