Manchester United have given Fulham boss Marco Silva permission to speak with Andreas Pereira after the Premier League newcomers submitted a £9 million bid for the midfielder, as reported by ESPN.
If Joao Palhinha feels like an £18 million coup – a Portuguese international arriving at the peak of his powers after helping Sporting Lisbon win the Primeira Liga title for the first time since the early 2000s – then the same cannot really be said about another midfielder who appears to be on his way to Craven Cottage.
If any player sums up the mediocrity of Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, it’s arguably Pereira. He played no fewer than 40 games during the 2019/20 season alone and the fact that he’s still contracted to the club – at the age of 26 – speaks volumes about United’s often baffling approach to recruitment.
After spending the last 12 months on loan at Flamengo, Pereira does, at least, appear to be on the verge of a permanent departure. And you get the feeling that £9 million is a sum that would have most United fans chomping Marco Silva’s arm off at the joint.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once described the academy graduate as a ‘top quality player‘. You won’t find many on the Old Trafford terraces who would agree with that assessment. It’s fair to say, then, that Pereira will have an almighty point to prove if he swaps the North West for West London.
Fulham want Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira
According to ESPN, Fulham have submitted a £9 million offer for Pereira. Erik Ten Hag is keen to have a look at the long-serving midfielder in pre-season. But Man United have now given Silva permission to enter talks with the one-time Lazio and Valencia loanee.
What’s more, Pereira is reportedly ‘impressed’ with what he’s heard from Fulham thus far, and the plans they have for him at Craven Cottage.
Goal add that, in an ideal world, the one-time Brazil international would have stayed at Flamengo full-time. That looks highly unlikely, however, after Flamengo ‘broke an agreement’ with United.
Ligue 1 outfit Lyon are also keen. But Goal point out that Pereira is only viewed as a potential replacement for Lucas Paqueta at the Stade OL.
As things stand – with Paqueta staying put for the time being – Fulham appear to have a clear run at securing Pereira’s signature.
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