ESPN Brasil today features a big story about West Bromwich Albion midfielder Matheus Pereira.
A piece from reporter João Castelo Branco claims that four Premier League sides have been in touch to sign the 25-year-old this summer.
Following West Brom’s relegation to the Championship, it’s said the first clubs that asked about his situation were Aston Villa, Leeds United and West Ham United. More recently, Crystal Palace joined the fight as well.
According to the story, by the time of the approaches, the player was valued at £20m. But no bids were made by any of those clubs so far.
In Leeds’ case, it’s Marcelo Bielsa who likes the player, and Pereira himself ‘is interested’ in moving to the Elland Road side, even though he’d rather have the chance to play in the Europa League.
European football is an advantage that West Ham have. However, the Hammers are waiting for a definition on Jesse Lingard’s situation before making a potential official bid. Crystal Palace are said to be ‘interested’, but also haven’t made a bid.
Aston Villa, following the signing of Emiliano Buendia, gave up on the chase. And according to ESPN Brasil, that move made a difference in Pereira’s price, because after seeing that transfer, West Brom started valuing the Brazilian at £30m.
Castelo Branco points out that with a bigger price, Pereira could even end up going to a new league, since Eintracht Frankfurt joined the race and signed that they can offer something close to what the Baggies demand. The player is said to be evaluating the possibility.
