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United to hijack £20m bid for midfielder?

perezManchester United are considering whether to hijack Valencia’s deal for Argentina midfielder Enzo Perez, with reports suggesting the Benfica man is again on United’s radar, which could scupper Valencia’s plans of securing the 28-year-old.

Perez, who replaced Angel Di Maria during Argentina’s 1-0 win in the quarter finals against Belgium, impressed for Benfica last season, as the Lisbon club clinched their 33rd league title and lost the Europa League final on penalties against Sevilla but, according to reports in the Portuguese press, he’s looking for a move away this summer, despite having recently penned a new four-year deal.

Valencia looked to have agreed a deal for the 28-year-old after having a £20m bid accepted by Benfica, but Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claims that the uncertainty surrounding the Spanish club’s future after a takeover bid by billionaire Peter Lim has seen the deal come to a halt.

United could benefit from the impasse, particularly as Perez has been scouted extensively by the Old Trafford scouts and with Louis Van Gaal seeking to bolster his options in midfield, the Argentine could emerge as a somewhat surprise target.

“There is the possibility of playing for Valencia, who are a great club, but right now I want to be fully focused on the Argentina national team and on the World Cup,” said Perez.

“I am very happy at Benfica, I signed the contract renewal before travelling to join the Argentina squad, which shows that I want to keep wearing this shirt.

“I am feeling very well at Benfica and I know the club will try to do the best for me. I’ll respect what they decide.”

A central midfielder by trade, Perez can also be deployed further up the pitch as attacking midfielder and has often been played as right winger for club and country and has made 92 appearances in all competitions over the last two seasons for Benfica, scoring nine times and assisting a further 14 goals.

Dan