If West Bromwich Albion want to bring Pereira to the Championship they will have to spend big.
Sporting Lisbon are demanding £9 million for Matheus Pereira. And that, according to the Express and Star, is why the Brazilian’s move to West Bromwich Albion has stalled.
Slaven Bilic’s side have welcomed Kenneth Zohore and Semi Ajayi to the Hawthorns in the last few days with QPR defender Darnell Furlong expected to join them. Three solid signings they may be but they don’t quite possess the star quality that Pereira would bring to the Midlands.
A 23-year-old winger, Pereira’s stand-out performances on loan at Nurnburg last season earned justifiable comparisons to Mo Salah – and not just because he shares the Liverpool star’s trademark haircut.
And the Express and Star claims that West Brom wanted to sign Pereira on loan with an option to buy should he impress in the Championship.
But Sporting, who are notoriously difficult to negotiate with, will only let Pereira go should West Brom agree to buy him outright if he starts half of their league games and regardless of whether they are promoted or not.
Pereira will also set The Baggies back £9 million – a hefty sum for a club who’s parachute payments will be drastically reduced next year, the report adds.
Clearly, there is a long way to go before both clubs can come to an agreement. But West Brom should not be so willing to give up just yet.
Pereira is the kind of unique attacking talent who can turn draws into wins with one swish of his left foot.
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