BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Boca Juniors is preparing a bid to sign Flamengo defender Leo Pereira, according to media reports in Argentina.

Boca manager Fernando Gago sees the center-back as an ideal addition to a squad that was hit by injuries this year, TyC Sports reported.

It added that Flamengo had set an asking price of around 9 million U.S. dollars for the 28-year-old, who is tied to the Rio de Janeiro club until December 2027.

Pereira has made 217 appearances and scored 11 goals across all competitions for Flamengo, whom he joined in 2020 from Athletico Paranaense.

Boca finished sixth in Argentina's Primera Division this year, nine points behind champion Velez Sarsfield. ■