Barcelona approach Newcastle star Ayoze Perez after missing out Luciano Vietto

Newcastle United star Ayoze Perez is the latest forward approached by Barcelona with a view to bolstering Luis Enrique's attack ahead of next season, IBTimes UK understands.

Barcelona had earmarked the signing of Luciano Vietto as their main objective for the reminder of the current transfer window, but are now considering the former Tenerife starlet instead after the Atletico Madrid forward opted to move to Sevilla.

The Catalans have opened discussions with the player's entourage in recent days to enquire about his availability, and it is believed the Magpies would be ready to cash-in for around £15m ($19.6m).

Barcelona have been on the hunt for a versatile forward to serve as back-up for the MSN trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar ever since the departure of Pedro to Chelsea during last summer's transfer window. Vietto, Kevin Gameiro, Tony Sanabria, Nolito, Hatem Ben Arfa and Ousmane Dembele have all been linked with the role in recent months, but Barcelona have failed sign any of them due to the players' reluctance to accept a supporting role.

The Catalans have subsequently been forced to draw up a new list of potential targets in order to fulfil Luis Enrique's demands.

Recent reports in Spain claim that Carlo Bacca, Mario Gomez, Lucas Perez, Santi Mina and Perez are the names on that list, and IBTimes UK can confirm that Barcelona have already started contact with the Newcastle star to enquire as to whether he will be keen to make a move to Catalonia.

The La Liga giants have been monitoring the 23-year-old since his early days at Tenerife. Former Barcelona director of football Andoni Zubizarreta recently revealed he tried to sign him in 2014 when the player opted to move to the Magpies, as the Catalans only offered him a role in the second team.

However, the situation could be different this time around following Newcastle's relegation to the Championship.

Earlier in June IBTimes UK revealed the Spaniard was already considering his future at St James Park, having attracted attention from West Ham United, Everton and Inter Milan.

Nothing has come of these approaches as Newcastle have so far refused to let Perez to go on the cheap, after he only signed new long-term deal with the Magpies in February – following reports linking him with Tottenham Hotspur and even Manchester United.

However, interest from Barcelona may tempt both the player and the club into making a deal, if an acceptable offer is tabled.

Perez has a huge release clause in his contract at St James Park, but IBTimes UK understands the Magpies would be ready to let him go for around £15m – having signed him from Tenerife two years ago for just £1.5m.

Barcelona would like to reduce that figure as much as possible, but they are eager to recruit a player who has long been on their radar. They could well offer something close to the £15m demanded, as they were eager to pay a higher sum for Vietto.

Perez, unlike Vietto and other failed targets, would presumably be happy to serve as fourth-choice forward at Barcelona. Rafa Benitez started him in just five of the last 10 games of the 2015-16, and he could well be tempted to move back to his homeland rather than play in England's second tier.