Fabrizio Romano rejects reports of Manchester City deal with Serie A side for midfielder | OneFootball

Manchester City have not yet completed a big-money deal for Maximo Perrone to leave the club this summer, according to reports.

Reports in mid-May from reliable sources working around the club had indicated that City officials were closing in on a deal to sell the highly-rated midfielder to Como for a fee of around €30 million.

That price tag is largely a reflection of the fine work put into place by Perrone during his season-long loan stay with the Italian side throughout 2024/25 – providing three assists across 26 appearances in Serie A.

The move to Italian football was the second-successive temporary switch away from Manchester City since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium from Argentine club Velez Sarsfield in 2023, having first spent time developing with Spanish side Las Palmas.

But with rave reviews now emerging from his stay in Italy last season, and his pathway into a regular place within Pep Guardiola’s set-up somewhat blocked by existing stars and new arrivals this summer, a permanent exit with favourable clauses looks most likely.

According to the information of Fabrizio Romano, and despite reports that first surfaced back in May, there is said to be no deal done or agreed between Serie A side Como and Manchester City for Maximo Perrone to join on a permanent deal at this stage.

It is once again reminded however that the Italian side have matching rights and an option to extend their loan from last season once more for the Argentine midfielder, and as such remain relaxed concerning the player’s future.

It remains to be seen just how much Manchester City value Perrone at, and whether rival interest from the likes of Inter Milan could lead to an even greater sale than first reported in May of this year.

Pep Guardiola’s side are well-stocked in central areas to accommodate for a departure of Perrone, with Tijjani Reijnders arriving into the number eight position from AC Milan this summer, and Rayan Cherki adding quality into the number 10 role.

Any deal for Maximo Perrone would likely only be one of several exits in the coming weeks and months, with James McAtee expected to depart amid interest from Germany, while Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker are also deemed surplus to requirements.