Could Enzo Perez be set for a surprise move to Old Trafford this summer…
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Manchester United have made a late swoop for Benfica’s Argentine midfielder Enzo Perez, who was thought to be on the verge of a move to Spanish side Valencia.
The Daily Mirror are reporting that United will hijack Valencia’s move and offer the 28-year-old a place at Old Trafford. The midfielder recently signed a new four-year contract with Benfica, and will likely demand a fee of around £20 m.
An eight-time Argentine international, Perez is currently with his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and played in the 1-0 quarter-final victory over Belgium.
Incoming Untied manager Louis van Gaal is keen to completely remodel his midfield, after the Manchester-side finished in a disappointing seventh place under his predecessor, David Moyes.
United have already signed Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera, and are extremely interested in Juventus star Arturo Vidal, according to reports in the press.
However, Van Gaal could yet be tempted into a move for the experienced Argentine, who favours a more defensive role. His success with Benfica has indeed been put down to his positional change – originally a right-sided midfielder, Perez was converted to central midfield after the departrues of Javi Garcia and Axel Witsel in 2012, and formed a strong partnership with now-Chelsea star Nemanja Matic.