According to club president Sergio Rapisarda, Manchester City’s bid to sign Velez Sarsfield starlet Maximo Perrone has failed.
The Citizens have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old midfielder, who is thought to have an €8 million (£7.1 million) release clause in his contract with the Argentine club.
According to a recent report, Pep Guardiola’s side was on the verge of finalizing a deal to sign Perrone, despite competition from Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Benfica.
Velez president Rapisarda, on the other hand, has confirmed that they have rejected an offer from City after talks with the reigning Premier League champions.
Rapisarda has also mentioned previous negotiations with City regarding the sale of Benjamin Garre in 2016, during which Velez complained that the English club was attempting to persuade the midfielder – who is now on loan at Huracan from Racing Club – to sign before the age of 16.
Speaking to Velez670, via The Sun, Rapisarda said: “I have spoken with the people of City because we already have a precedent. They conduct themselves in this manner. They were constantly trying to persuade the boy [Garre].
“There is a clause which the players can execute. He should present a note to Agremiados, AFA, and the club that is going to execute the clause.
“Yes, the player can authorize a third party to deposit the money. They made an offer, we were not seduced. He is a caliber player.”
There is still hope that City can secure the services of Perrone, as Rapisarda has admitted that the youngster wants to move to the Etihad Stadium, while he has also criticized Argentina Under-20s head coach Javier Mascherano for ‘persuading him’ to join up with Guardiola’s side.
“The boy, he wants to go,” Rapisarda added. “The City coach called him three times, [Javier] Mascherano also persuaded him, which I don’t like.
“The boy loves the coach of that club. We are going to take the risk. We are trying to be the best in the transfer and with numbers that favor Velez.”
Perrone made his professional debut with Velez in March last year and has since established himself as a first-team regular, scoring three goals in 33 appearances across the Primera Division and Copa Libertadores.
The midfielder is set to link up Mascherano and the Argentina Under-20s squad ahead of the South American Under-20 Championships, which begins on January 19 and runs until February 12.
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