Benfica have identified 19-year-old midfielder Maximo Perrone as a potential successor to Enzo Fernandez, 90min understands.
Fernandez’s performances since moving to Europe over the summer had major clubs on alert, while his World Cup-winning antics with Argentina have seen several sides ramp up their interest.
While Fernandez is looking to secure an exit from Estadio da Luz, Benfica are busy identifying possible replacements, leading them to Velez Sarsfield’s Perrone.
Sources have told 90min that Benfica have joined Manchester City – plus their various affiliate clubs – Newcastle and Wolves in the race for Perrone, who has been likened to Argentine legend Fernando Redondo.
The English trio have all held talks over a deal for Perrone, with his release clause of roughly €9m appealing. Man City and Wolves are battling for the midfielder ironically having both missed out on Fernandez when he chose to join Benfica from River Plate.
Perrone only broke through into Velez Sarsfield’s first team earlier in 2022 and has played 33 times for them since. He has also been capped for Argentina at U16 and U20 level.
He has played most of his senior minutes as a defensive midfielder, though is capable of playing higher up the pitch as well.
Should he sign for a new team this January, Perrone is not expected to feature for them until mid-February due to the South American Under-20 championships this winter.
Credit: 90min.com
