Benfica's signing of Mattia Perin delayed as 15 million euro goalkeeper fails medical

Benfica were closing in on completing the signing Italian international goalkeeper Mattia Perin this summer for a significant 15 million euros.

The move was all but done, virtually finalised and expected to be made official in the coming hours, but his move to Benfica will not occur quite as soon as everybody initially expected.

The 26-year old goalkeeper arrived in Portugal late last night as he prepared to sign a five-year contract with Benfica after the two clubs reached an agreement - but after failing his medical, a move to the Portuguese champions has been in serious jeopardy.

Perin, who has played for Italy twice, is currently injured, and the fact that he failed his medical came as little surprise.

Nevertheless, it put Benfica in a difficult situation, having to decide whether to still continue with the transfer - and it is understood that the transfer will still go through, albeit at a later fate than first anticipated.

He is still likely to join Benfica, but in December rather than immediately, staying in Turin for the next five months as he recovers from his injury. His condition will then be reassessed by Benfica’s medical team.

Perin himself confirmed that Rui Costa was crucial in convincing him to join the Lisbon club, his desire to play for a side in the Champions League at the forefront of his minds as he looks to return to the national team.

The 15 million euros that is/was going to be paid for the Italian goalkeeper would make him Benfica’s fourth most expensive signing in the club’s history, only behind Raul Jimenez, RTD and Rafa Silva. The fee also smashes the previous record sum spent by Benfica on a goalkeeper, which was 8.5 million euros for Roberto in 2013.