Newcastle United are in talks with the Velez Sarsfield bosses and Maximo Perrone’s agent as they look to snatch the £12 million target from under the noses of Premier League rivals Wolves, according to Diario Popular.
There may be some concerns about whether or not a young player, albeit one as talented and exciting as Perrone, can make an immediate impact this side of the Atlantic.
The influence Enzo Fernandez is already exerting at Benfica following his summer move from River Plate, however, potentially bodes well for Perrone at Newcastle. Enzo only joined in the summer, and is already being compared to Zinedine Zidane.
His former River team-mate Julian Alvarez, meanwhile, has scored seven goals in 20 games for Manchester City.
19-year-old Perrone may be ‘one for the future’ at St James’ Park. But do not be surprised if this tenacious little playmaker slots straight into Eddie Howe’s team and turns heads from the get-go.
Newcastle United now lead Wolves in Maximo Perrone race
He’s certainly not going to shrink on a bigger stage. Perrone is the sort of player who loves to grab a game by the proverbial scruff of the neck. A tally of 13 yellow cards in 33 games, meanwhile, shows he’s unlikely to be bamboozled by the physicality of English football. Perrone is aggressive and supremely self-confident. Two attributes which stand him in good stead in Europe.
Reporter Cesar Luis Merlo indicated earlier this week that Newcastle were willing to pay £12 million for the Wolves-linked enforcer. Perrone has a £9 million release clause in his contract. Newcastle are happy to go above and beyond that, however, in an attempt to ward off rival suitors.
Conversations are now also underway between the Magpies and Rolando Zarate; Perrone’s agent. Talks are taking place, too, with the Velez Sarsfield bosses.
Interestingly, teenager models his game on Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets. According to Goal, however, comparisons also exist with Real Madrid’s Uruguayan maestro Fede Valverde and Dutch schemer Frenkie de Jong. Comparisons which highlight Perrone’s technical ability and ball-carrying potential.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keen on Perrone. The men from Molineux hope to sign another young South American – Chile speedster Dario Osorio – in 2023. Osorio could join for a bargain £4.5 million.
“I think that when he stands out more is when he plays like Gareth Bale; freer and behind a more centralised, number nine with him on the wing. He’s half a Gareth Bale lookalike,” says former Universidad de Chile goalkeeper Johnny Herrera.
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