Perrone seals £13m permanent Como move

Manchester City have officially sanctioned the permanent departure of young Argentine midfielder Maximo Perrone to Italian Serie A club Como, in a deal reported to be worth up to £13 million. The move brings an end to Perrone's relatively brief, albeit profitable, tenure at the Etihad Stadium, having initially arrived from Velez Sarsfield for approximately £8 million in January 2023. This transfer underscores City's astute business model, turning a significant profit on a player who made only a handful of senior appearances for the reigning Premier League champions.

Despite his pedigree as a highly-rated prospect from South America, Perrone, now 22, found senior opportunities scarce within Pep Guardiola's star-studded squad. After just two competitive outings for City, the club opted for a strategic loan pathway to accelerate his development. The 2023-24 season saw him gain valuable experience in La Liga with Las Palmas, before a pivotal move to Como for the 2024-25 campaign. It was in Italy's top flight that Perrone truly began to flourish, making 26 appearances and becoming an integral part of a Como side that impressively secured a 10th-place finish. His growth under the tutelage of former Arsenal and Chelsea maestro Cesc Fabregas, now Como's head coach, has been palpable, cementing his value and demonstrating his readiness for a consistent first-team role.