Agent: Perez close to Villarreal switch

(GSM) – Marco Perez is close to securing a summer switch to Villarreal, according to the player’s agent.

The teenage striker, who plays for Argentine outfit Gimnasia La Plata, has caught the eye of numerous European scouts this season.

But the only hurdle for such a switch from South America is his complicated ownership rights.

In much the same way as Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano caused problems when they joined West Ham in 2006, Colombian ace Perez is not owned by a single club.

His representative Eduardo Pimental owns half of the rights to the player, while the other 50 per cent is held by a group of investors.

This confusing matter needs to be resolved before he can go anywhere, but it appears that Villarreal will be his most likely destination should he move on at the end of the season.

“There still isn’t anything arranged because the people I have been talking too represent several teams,” Pimental told Antena 2.

“But one of them was from Villarreal and he has sent me the most interesting proposal so far.”

Pimental is looking to cash in on his half of Perez’s ownership rights in any sale, but admits he needs to talk with his fellow investors before any decision can be made.

“I have to meet with the owners of the other 50 per cent of the transfer to see if they want to sell the player,” he added.

“Maybe they want to keep their part and I will sell my part.”

Pimental believes that his stake in Perez is worth between three and four million dollars (£2-2.5m).