Club bid farewell as Crystal Palace and Fulham target plays his last game

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Flamengo have bid farewell to Fulham and Crystal Palace target Andreas Pereira as the Manchester United loanee returns to the Premier League, as reported by O Dia. 

Not that the once-capped Brazil international is particularly thrilled about the prospect of clearing out his locker and boarding a long-haul flight back across The Atlantic. 

Pereira has made no secret of his desire to stay put and stay at Flamengo. Those hopes went up in smoke some time ago, however, after the Red and Blacks attempted to change the terms of a deal with United and snatch the 26-year-old on a reduced fee. 

“Regardless of anything, it is important to note Andreas’ determination, character and dignity,” says Flamengo’s Vice President Rodrigo Dunshee after Pereira signed off with a stunning long-range strike in this week’s 1-0 Copa Libertadores victory over Deportes Tolima.

“He delivered until the last minute, showing greatest dedication and commitment to the club and the fans.”

This feels very much like a farewell. 

Fulham and Crystal Palace target Andreas Pereira returning to England

According to Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola, Fulham have had an initial £9 million bid accepted by Manchester United. Pereira has not pulled on that iconic red shirt since the 2019/20 season. And he will fall even further down the pecking order once Frenkie de Jong arrives from Barcelona. 

Crystal Palace are also interested, per Extra. Pereira could forge a new-look central midfield partnership alongside the more physical Cheick Doucoure under Patrick Vieira at Selhurst Park. 

He would seemingly fulfil a similar role at Fulham, alongside the 6ft 4ins ball-winner Joao Palhinha.

There is one man, however, who believes Flamengo might have dodged a bullet as the popular loanee slips through their fingers.

“Andreas is not a player who makes the difference,” says reporter Mauro Cezar Pereira on his YouTube channel. “He’s a good player but he’s not a guy who dominates the midfield and makes a big difference.”