Valencia’s new owner Peter Lim was thwarted in his attempts to sign Argentine midfielder Enzo Perez from Benfica last summer and is determined to land the 28-year-old in Mestalla this January but will face a tough challenge from Manchester United, who have also sought out Perez to strengthen their big-money squad.
Valencia appeared to have the upper hand in the race for Perez, who would be joining fellow Benfica and Argentina national teammate Nico Gaitan to Spain this January, but according to a recent report from Valencia-based sports daily, Superdeporte, Lim could be trumped again by Manchester United’s millions.
The report states that Lim and Valencia are trying to determine what their exact budget and transfer restrictions under the FFP guidelines, as they signed the majority of this summer’s players on loan with an automatic option to buy when Lim took full control of the club.
Valencia could determine that Perez isn’t worth Benfica’s asking price and may not be able to afford the player, leaving Manchester United free to pluck him from Portugal.
Valencia scouts were reportedly in Portugal to watch both Perez and Gaitan in Benfica’s 3-0 win over Belenenses this past weekend.