Leicester could be rueing their decision to allow Ayoze Perez to leave on a free transfer given how he has found form again in Spain.
Pérez left Leicester in the summer of 2023 for Spanish side Real Betis, where he scored 11 goals in 38 games in all competitions and his form earned him a call-up to Spain’s Euro 2024 squad.
The 31-year-old has only played 12 minutes in the successful Spanish campaign, but his form at Betis has earned him a move to Villarreal this summer.
Leicester may regret letting Perez go
Perez he has had a superb start to the season with Villarreal and has scored six goals in seven league games with only Robert Lewandowski scoring more.
The former Leicester man has scored more goals than Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe so far this season, while his former side are still looking for their first Premier League win of the season.
Perez joined Leicester from Newcastle in the summer of 2019 and made 114 appearances for the Foxes, scoring 15 goals and winning the FA Cup and Community Shield during his time at the club.
The striker featured sparingly in his final two seasons at the club and made just three starts during the 2022/23 season when the Foxes were relegated and was loaned out to Real Betis in the final six months of his contract.
Given Leicester’s struggles in front of goal, they could certainly do with Perez and Steve Cooper’s side are still heavily reliant on Jamie Vardy for goals.
Leicester are yet to win this season and face a tough trip to the Emirates on Saturday afternoon as they look set to face an uphill task to stay in the league.
The Foxes are currently in 15th place with three draws and two defeats from their opening five games and will be desperate to register their first win of the season as soon as possible.
