Enzo Pérez in action for Argentina in Brazil

Manchester United have made a late bid to sign Benfica and Argentina’s central midfielder, Enzo Pérez according to various newspaper reports in the UK. Valencia, flush from Peter Lim’s recent takeover, were thought to have triggered the £23.7 million release clause but now Manchester United may have rivalled this as Louis van Gaal looks to reinforce his midfield.

Manchester United have long been linked with the 28-year-old but had previously baulked at Benfica’s price tag. However, Pérez may yet have a very important role for Argentina at the World Cup with the injury to Ángel Di María and prove his worth.

Certainly it is an area that Louis van Gaal will be looking to strengthen. Pérez is an excellent box-to-box type midfielder who can break up the play but also break forward with a nice range of passing and Alejandro Sabella has certainly seen great value in his versatility.

Benfica completed a domestic treble in Portugal last season and were beaten finalists in the Europa League. Pérez was central to this success and was named the Player of the Season.

Valencia had previously been reported to have met the release clause and a deal after the World Cup was expected to be completed. They may now face competition although there has been no official word.

Certainly, Pérez was keen to downplay any interest when he was quizzed on this earlier in the World Cup.

“I know about their interest. I have heard about these possibilities and my agent told me about them too. 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.”

“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.“