Manchester City are expected to complete the signing of Newcastle United target Maximo Perrone from Velez Sarasfield.
According to a report from Daily Mail, Maximo Perrone is set to complete his move to Manchester City after the South American under-20 Championship ends this month. The 19-year-old Argentine wonderkid was also a target for Newcastle United.
The player is expected to travel to England for his medical with the Premier League champions. Apparently, the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United were keen to sign the 19-year-old as well. But Manchester City have beaten them in the transfer race. The Premier League champions are expected to sign Perrone for a fee of around £8.2 million.
Manchester City have built one of the most formidable squads in world football by signing a number of established stars over the years. However, Pep Guardiola has shown a willingness to invest in top young talents as well. And Perrone, who recently emerged on their radar, could be the next big thing for the Premier League giants.
Manchester City recently signed another Argentine prospect in Julian Alvarez. And the young striker has been an outstanding addition to the Manchester City attack. Alvarez managed to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup with his country last month as well.
Perrone will be expected to make a similar impact at the Premier League club. The 19-year-old has the potential to develop into a top-class player. And working with a manager like Guardiola could help him develop further.
Playing in the Premier League alongside better players will only accelerate his development and help him achieve his potential. Manchester City have been overly reliant on Rodri as their only defensive midfielder. So they need to add more depth to the position. With Ilkay Gundogan in the final year of his contract, bringing in midfield reinforcements should be a priority for Manchester City.
While Perrone is not someone who can make an immediate impact, the Argentine wonderkid could prove to be a solid long-term investment. It will be interesting to see if Manchester City decide to bring in another midfielder at the end of the season.
