Manchester United are set to lose out on their transfer target Enzo Perez as he is scheduled to have a medical with La Liga side Valencia next week. Reports indicate that the Argentinian is almost a Valencia player now pending a medical and a few other formalities that could be completed once the transfer window opens.
With Daley Blind’s injury and Micheal Carrick’s age, the need to sign a central midfield player was imperative for Manchester United. The red devils have been linked with a host of players in that position with Arturo Vidal, Kevin Strootman and Enzo Perez being a few of those names. At first, it was believed that Perez was someone whom United could have signed without too much of a fuss, but Valencia Sporting Director Francisco Rufete was apparently impressed with the 28-year old’s performances for Benfica and had made him a top priority signing.
Perez is predominantly a central midfielder but can be deployed as an attacking midfielder and a wide player. His versatility had caught the eye of Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal who dispatched scouts to watch Perez in Benfica’s fixture against Monaco in the UEFA Champions League last month.
Perez has had a solid few years at Benfica since making the move from Estudiantes in 2011. Back then, he cost the Portuguese side a meagre €2.4m. Now, Benfica are set to make a huge profit on him as Valencia will fork out €25m for the midfielder. All is not lost for United though as Daley Bind is close to a return from his injury, which could stop Van Gaal from buying a midfielder come next month. United invested heavily in the summer, so it’s unlikely that they’ll pay big money for the likes of Vidal or Strootman after losing out on Perez.