Galatasaray confirm interest in Maxi Pereira

Turkish giants Galatasaray have moved to confirm reports linking them with a summer move for Benfica defender Maxi Pereira.

The Super Lig outfit were believed to be one of the sides showing interest in the Uruguayan defender, with the likes of Liverpool, Napoli and Sunderland also keen.

Maxi Pereira has a contract until the end of the season at Estadio da Luz and while he has been offered a new two-year deal by Benfica, the experienced full-back has yet to make a decision on his future.

And it appears as though Galatasaray are readying a lucrative contract for the Uruguay international, with vice-president Abdurrahim Albayrak confirming the transfer talk.

“I believe that Galatasaray need two reinforcements for the defence with a view to next season,” Albayrak told Cine 5 TV channel.

“Maxi Pereira is probably one of those players.”

The experienced defender has left quite a mark on Estadio da Luz, having spent last eight years there, making 209 league appearances and scoring 13 goals, and he will soon lift his third Primeira Liga trophy.