Football News: Manchester City to finalise Maximo Perrone signing this week?

Maximo Perrone's transfer from Velez Sarsfield to Manchester City is allegedly scheduled to be finalised this week. The highly-rated defensive midfielder, who turned 20 on Saturday, He is now believed to have been the subject of negotiations between the Citizens and the Argentine club as early as December.

In March of last year, Perrone made his professional debut with Velez. He soon established himself as a major member of the team for the 2022 season, recording three goals in 33 games in both the Primera Division and the Copa Libertadores.

The Premier League champions Man City have taken notice of the youngster's quick development, and they are now prepared to make him their first signing of the winter transfer season.

The Daily Mail claims that the Citizens and Perrone have reached an agreement on a transfer fee of around £6.5 million, and that Perrone's move to the Etihad Stadium is expected to be completed this week.

This month, Perrone has also been linked to Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Benfica, but City seem to have won the battle to get him. Thus, Perrone is anticipated to join Pep Guardiola's squad.

He will undergo evaluation in the second half of the season before a decision is made. The decision regarding whether he will stay with the team or go out on loan the following year.

Prior to the South American Under-20 Championships, which begin on January 19 and last until February 12, the midfielder will first train with Argentina's Under-20 team.

Javier Mascherano, a former midfielder for Liverpool and Barcelona, is the head coach of Argentina's Under-20 team and is known to have spoken with Guardiola about Perrone's potential.

Before making his Under-20s debut under Mascherano in March, the young player appeared seven times for Argentina's Under-16s, playing for 45 minutes in a 2-2 friendly draw with the USA.

After Julian Alvarez, who completed his transfer from River Plate to City in January 2022, Perrone is expected to become the second highly-rated Argentine to leave his native country for the Etihad in the past 12 months.

Prior to joining City's team in the summer, Alvarez stayed with River on loan. Since then, the 2022 World Cup champion has excelled when called upon by Guardiola, tallying eight goals in 22 appearances across all competitions.

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