Newcastle United forward Ayoze Perez has insisted that he will not leave the club as he looks to help get them promoted back to the Premier League.
The 23-year-old Spaniard, who joined the Magpies in June 2014, had been linked with Barcelona, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur following Newcastle's relegation to the Championship this summer.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Eldorsal, Perez revealed that he considers himself to have a "debt" with the club's fans and wants to repay them with a return to the top flight at the first time of asking.
"The fans have always been very close and have always thanked me for staying – despite the interest that there has been from big clubs to sign me," he said.
"I have a debt with the fans, I want to return to the Premier League with Newcastle. We must be professional.
"We play midweek and weekend, and physically you can get diminished to some degree. You have to be in tune all the time, we have progressed in the League Cup and we also have to play the FA Cup from January."
Perez went on to admit that manager Rafael Benitez was a key factor in his decision to stay, saying: "He had much influence, he is a great manager and it also helps to speak the same language.
"His methods are to my liking and I decided to go with him on this challenge."
Newcastle are currently ninth in the Championship ahead of tonight's encounter with promotion rivals Norwich City.
Neil Wilkes
