Pep Guardiola expected to hand young midfielder prominent pre-season role

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will offer midfielder Maximo Perrone the chance to star in pre-season this summer.

The 20-year-old, who could spend the upcoming campaign at La Liga side Girona, is set to be offered a big opportunity during a pre-season tour of east Asia.

Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Japan and South Korea to prepare for the new season, with three friendlies scheduled against Yokohama F. Marinos, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.

The Manchester City squad for the pre-season tour is expected to include a number of youth players, with midfielder Maximo Perrone looking to impress after making his Premier League debut against Bournemouth in February.

Perrone also featured against Bristol City in the Emirates FA Cup, and was an unused substitute for the Manchester City first-team on nine occasions.

The 20-year-old signed a five-and-half year deal at the Etihad Stadium in January, joining from Velez Sarsfield, where the Argentinian made 33 appearances and scored three goals.

Manchester City paid £8 million for the young midfielder, and are preparing to hand him a prominent role in pre-season, according to Chris Bailey.

Kyle Walker, who has been heavily linked with a potential departure from Manchester City to Bayern Munich, is also expected to be part of the pre-season tour squad, report Sky Sports News.

Meanwhile, James McAtee, who was at Sheffield United for the 2022/23 season and helped the Blades to Premier League promotion, is also expected to be handed opportunities in pre-season, with the potential for the 20-year-old to remain with the Sky Blues for the upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, Chris Bailey further reports that, Oscar Bobb, Carlos Borges, Dire Mebude, Nico O’Reilly, Lakyle Samuel, and Max Alleyne, are all bidding to be selected for the pre-season tour.

Borges is drawing interest from Premier League duo West Ham and Nottingham Forest, with the teenager having been directly involved in 47 goals last season.