Manchester City are closing in on Newcastle United target Maximo Perrone after Pep Guardiola spoke to Javier Mascherano about a deal.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that City will complete a deal for Velez Sarsfield talent Perrone in the ‘next days’.
Romano claims the deal is ‘almost done’ with Pep Guardiola using his contacts to advance City’s move.
It’s stated that Guardiola contacted Argentina Under-20 boss Javier Mascherano to gauge his opinion on Perrone.
Mascherano has called Perrone up for the 2023 South American Under-20 Championship, so will know plenty about the midfielder.
Guardiola coached Mascherano at Barcelona and has now taken his advice over Perrone with City on the verge of a deal.
Newcastle United face disappointment as Manchester City prepare to sign Maximo Perrone
City aren’t the only Premier League club who have been linked with a move to sign Perrone.
Velez670 reported in November that Newcastle were preparing a first offer to sign the Argentinian in 2023.
Velez A Fondo – as translated by Newcastle World – even claimed that Velez sporting director Christian Bassedas, formerly of Newcastle himself, headed to England in November to discuss a transfer.
Newcastle seemingly identified Perrone as a real talent for the future but it’s City who will be signing him very soon.
Former Velez boss Gabriel Heinze previosuly hailed Perrone as a ‘spectacular’ talent and a move to Europe seemed inevitable.
The 20-year-old has already racked up 13 yellow cards in 33 games for Velez, with Mascherano no doubt a fan of that aggressive streak.
Perrone will now hope to develop under Guardiola just like Mascherano did, though surely just as a holding midfielder.
Mascherano did occasionally play as a centre back under Guardiola but we can’t see Perrone making that switch unless the City boss has another wild idea up his sleeve.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
