Rumour: Manchester United face battle with Juventus to land Benfica star Enzo Perez

Enzo Perez takes the ball past Sacha Kljestan of RSC Anderlecht during the UEFA Champions League group stage match between SL Benfica and RSC Anderlecht

Manchester United are set to go head-to-head with Juventus in the transfer market this summer, with the Express reporting that the pair are both keen on landing Enzo Perez from Benfica.

Reports in Portugal have suggested that the Argentine international midfielder is keen on a move away from the club to try his hand in a higher standard of league from the Portuguese Superliga, following suit with the example set by former midfield partner Nemanja Matic, who returned to Chelsea in January to further his career.

The Old Trafford outfit have made midfielders their priority position to strengthen in the summer with the likes of Toni Kroos and Cesc Fabregas having been linked with a move to Man United, once Louis Van Gaal is formally appointed as manager.

With Marouane Fellaini having failed to meet expectations following his £27.5million move from Everton last summer, Darren Fletcher looking a shadow of the player he was prior to his severe bowel illness and Tom Cleverley having been made a scapegoat, United need to spice up their midfield options and introduce more creativity in the side.

Fellaini, Fletcher, Cleverley and Michael Carrick have contributed just one assist between them all season and Van Gaal has already told United chiefs that he wants to address the creative issues in the centre of the pitch.

Perez is a more cut-price option to the likes of Kroos and Fabregas, with a £16m price tag place on the 28-year-old’s head, but Juventus have emerged as serious candidates to rival United for his signature and the Red Devils may need to act fast in order to secure their man.