Manchester City agree first signing of the January transfer window

Manchester City have agreed a deal for Argentina midfielder Máximo Perrone, the Premier League champions’ first signing of the January transfer window.

Pep Guardiola is set to have a new midfielder at his disposal after City agreed a €9.3 million deal with Vélez Sarsfield.

The 20 year-old will travel to England to complete his medical and sign his Manchester City contract following the conclusion of the Sudamericano Sub-20 competition, according to Cesar Luis Merlo.

Perrone has been selected to represent Argentina’s U20s at the Sudamericano Sub-20, which is an U20s international CONMEBOL tournament which begins this month.

Argentina play Paraguay in their opening group game on Saturday 21st January, before matches against Brazil, Peru and Columbia.

It was reported earlier this month that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had contacted Javier Mascherano to discuss the midfielder.

Perrone’s future with the City first-team upon arriving remains unknown, despite suggestions that the 20 year-old come straight into Guardiola’s squad, a possible loan move has been mooted.

City are expected to look to bolster their midfield over the course of the next year, with Ilkay Gundogan out of contract in the summer and Bernardo Silva having once against spoken openly about possibly leaving the Etihad Stadium.

The Sky Blues have had success signing players from South America during the January transfer window in the past, adding former River Plate forward Julian Alvarez last year.

Alvarez, who has scored eight goals for City since his arrival in July, also helped Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last month.