Pep Guardiola isn’t short of defensive-midfielders with Rodri and Kalvin Phillips at his disposal, but Manchester City are looking to sign a highly-rated youngster who might be their successor in the future – Maximo Perrone.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says the Premier League defending champions are closing in on a move for the 19-year-old. City are ‘set to trigger’ his release clause, believed to be around $8m.
Perrone has made 33 appearances in all competitions since rising through the youth ranks for CA Velez Sarsfield, scoring three goals with two assists. He’s already a regular as a teenager but is out of contract in 12 months, so Velez may be cashing in rather than risk losing him for very little in 2023.
Rodri is Guardiola’s first-choice midfielder while Phillips is still waiting in the wings for more opportunities after an injury-hit start to his debut season, so City won’t need Perrone this campaign.
Romano says the 19-year-old is regarded as a ‘huge talent’ and will join the Sky Blues after the South American U-20 Championship (mid-February 2023), so he might be loaned back to Argentina or sent to a City Football Group side until the summer.
In other news, why Man City won’t sign Leandro Trossard despite being ‘possible option’ for January
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