Velez Sarsfield hope to keep Maximo Perrone despite interest from Premier League duo Newcastle United and Wolves in the highly-rated midfielder, a member of the club’s technical staff tells Velez A Fondo.
In an attempt to ward off rival suitors, Wolverhampton Wanderers to name but one, Newcastle are allegedly ready to go above and beyond the £9 million release clause in Perrone’s contract.
According to South American publication Diario Popular, the Magpies are willing to put £12 million on the table. Negotiations are now underway between Newcastle and Rolando Zarate, Perrone’s agent. Talks are taking place, too, with the Velez Sarsfield chiefs.
The Argentine outfit are not resigned to losing one of their prized assets just yet, however.
“Hopefully Maximo Perrone can continue at Velez,” says eight-time Argentina international Emiliano Papa; a former defender who now works behind the scenes at the Jose Amalfitani Stadium.
“Today, we have him. Then there is the footballer’s wish. He had a great year, and it was a pity about injury at the end.”
Wolves and Newcastle United battling to sign Maximo Perrone from Velez Sarsfield
Despite suffering with fitness problems during the final few weeks of the campaign, Perrone still ended his breakthrough 2022 season with 33 appearances across all competitions, accumulating 13 yellow cards along the way.
Perrone idolises Sergio Busquets. He has also been likened to Frenkie de Jong due to his composure in possession and ball-carrying ability. Perrone is just one of a number of exciting young South Americans on the radars of both Newcastle and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Newcastle are also hoping to sign Santos striker Angelo Santos and Vasco da Gama midfielder Andrey Santos. Wolves, meanwhile, like Dario Osorio; the teenage Chile international having earned comparisons with Gareth Bale, Angel di Maria and Barcelona’s former Leeds United talisman Raphinha.
“(Central midfield) is the position that I like the most,” explains the dynamic and diminutive Perrone; labelled a ‘spectacular’ talent by former Velez coach Gabriel Heinze.
“Because (in midfield) the ball passes through me a lot. I can see the pitch in front of me and I can reach the penalty area. I want to cover all the positions in midfield.”
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