Manchester City are reportedly in talks with Como over the permanent sale of midfielder Maximo Perrone during the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old was loaned out to Cesc Fabregas's side ahead of the 2024-25 campaign and has found his feet in the Italian top flight, setting up two goals in 23 appearances in Serie A.
Either side of a serious injury, which kept him sidelined throughout all of November and December, Perrone has started 17 games for Como, who sit in a healthy 10th place in the Serie A table.
Fabregas's side have assured their survival in the top flight for the 2025-26 campaign, which will allow them to retain some of their prized assets, including the 2003-born Perrone.
As part of their loan agreement with Man City, Como can trigger a 12-month extension in the midfielder's temporary deal, and Fabrizio Romano reports that the Italian upstarts have already decided to activate it.
However, Romano also claims that Como and Man City are now discussing a permanent transfer for the Argentina youth international, whose contract at the Etihad Stadium does not expire until 2028.
Man City, Como 'in talks' over permanent Perrone transfer
🚨🇦🇷 Understand Como will keep Maximo Perrone also next season from Manchester City, decision already made.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2025
Como have an option to extend the loan and they will surely activate it, #MCFC are informed.
...but Como and City are also in talks now over a permanent transfer. 👀 pic.twitter.com/EWBaQq3lR4
Perrone was seen as a significant coup when Man City signed him from Velez Sarsfield midway through the 2022-23 campaign, forking out just £9.4m to bring the midfielder to the Etihad.
However, the South American has only made two competitive appearances for Pep Guardiola's side, both of which came as a substitute just a few weeks after his arrival in February 2023.
Perrone made his debut for the Citizens in a 4-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth, before also being sent on for a late cameo in a 3-0 FA Cup win over Bristol City a few days later.
Since then, the 22-year-old has been loaned out to Las Palmas and now Como, having seen his route to the first team at the Etihad blocked by Rodri before the Spaniard's ACL injury.
Even with Rodri sidelined, Perrone would now likely be playing second fiddle to Nico Gonzalez at City, although the prospective exits of Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan would boost his game-time prospects.
Perrone to follow fellow City youngster out of the door?
© Imago
Perrone is one of two Argentinian youngsters on the Man City books, as 19-year-old playmaker Claudio Echeverri may soon also find himself at a crossroads in his career.
Echeverri returned from a loan spell at former club River Plate at the start of 2025, but the 2006-born midfielder has still not made his competitive debut for Guardiola's side.
The imminent departure of Kevin De Bruyne could open the door for Echeverri next season, although it has also been reported that the teenager could be used as a bargaining chip in a deal for a Serie A defender.
Echeverri and Perrone could therefore find themselves coming face-to-face in Italy's top flight next season, although it is not clear what City's stance is on the former.
Ben Knapton
