Portuguese newspaper A Bola brings a story today explaining why Coronavirus has ‘delayed’ Matheus Pereira’s permanent transfer to West Bromwich Albion.
They say that when agreeing a loan deal for the midfielder at the start of the season, the Baggies and Sporting found three ways to make the move permanent.
One was a buying option in the next summer window, while two others were contract clauses, making the transfer automatic in case West Brom get promotion to the Premier League or Pereira makes 30 starts for the club.
Most media outlets said the player only had to make 30 appearances, and that’s why it was thought the permanent deal had been triggered. But A Bola now says they’ve all been wrong, as he needed 30 starts.
They point out that Matheus Pereira should’ve made his 30th start in the game against Birmingham City last weekend, but due to Coronavirus, the match has been suspended.
It could be a matter of time until the Championship resumes and the deal is completed, but A Bola says that even in the most extreme case, there’s no way the transfer will collapse.
That’s because even if the Championship season is cancelled and none of the clauses can be activated, West Brom decided ‘long ago’ they would use their buying option to get Pereira. A Bola says that player and club have found a deal already, as he’ll soon sign a four-year contract with the Baggies.
Following the €500k spent on the loan deal, West Brom should spend another €9.5m with the buying clause.
