Leicester City’s interest in the Porto fullback Ricardo Pereira is becoming quite a big deal in Portugal, with different newspapers reporting it.
Today, we’ve already covered claims from A Bola regarding the chase, and newspaper Record also brought a very interesting story this weekend.
The outlet has put Claude Puel as a big admirer of Ricardo Pereira’s abilities, as he knows him well from the time they worked together at French side Nice.
The manager knows Pereira can play on both sides of the pitch, not only as a fullback, but also as a winger. That’s why the player would arrive at Leicester not only to compete with Danny Simpson, but also to strengthen the squad overall.
The most interesting thing about the story is how Porto would be fine in negotiating Ricardo Pereira next summer. With youngster Diogo Dalot doing well in the chances he’s had, the club feel fine in having him as a successor to the 24-year-old.
Meanwhile, Pereira’s sale has been planned quietly by the Dragons. First by increasing his release clause from €25m to €37.5m. Then by secretly buying another 8% of his rights, now owning 88%.
Record doesn’t set a price that Porto are planning to get with the sale, but as long as the offer sounds good for them and for the player, they should let him go. There’s no ‘only for the release clause’ talk this time, which would help Leicester.
