West Ham United are reportedly in talks to secure the signing of Brazilian midfielder Matheus Pereira from EFL Championship club West Bromwich Albion.
According to a report from the Express, West Ham United have begun negotiations with West Bromwich Albion over the potential transfer of Matheus Pereira in the ongoing transfer window.
Born in Brazil, Pereira came through the ranks at Portuguese outfit Sporting CP and went on to make 27 senior appearances for the club. During his time with the Lions, the 25-year-old also had loan stints away at Chaves and 1. FC Nuremberg before he made his way to West Brom in the summer of 2019, also on loan.
Pereira enjoyed a stunning debut season in England, helping the Baggies to promotion to the Premier League, on the back of which, his transfer to the Hawthorns was made permanent. And the versatile attacking midfielder enjoyed a brilliant first campaign in the English top-flight, finishing with a tally of 11 goals and six assists from 33 outings, although he could not prevent his team from getting relegated.
Back in the Championship with West Brom, Pereira has been heavily linked with a swift return to the Premier League with Leicester City and West Ham United showing an interest in procuring his services. And it seems like the latter have made some progress in their pursuit of the Brazil-born midfielder, having entered into negotiations with the Baggies over a move.
West Ham United will need to bring in a new attacking midfielder this summer having seen Felipe Anderson depart on a permanent transfer. Jesse Lingard, who was brilliant on loan for the Hammers during the 2020/21 season, is increasingly looking likely to stay put at Manchester United while Andriy Yarmolenko is also being linked with an exit.
As a result, West Ham United have been scouring the transfer market for a new versatile attacking midfielder, and Pereira fits the bill perfectly. Able to play as a No. 10 or on either flank and even as an auxiliary forward, the 25-year-old could provide David Moyes & co. an added threat in the final third alongside Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio.
To that end, West Ham are in discussions with West Brom over a £25 million deal for Pereira, as per the report. The Hammers, though, are seemingly keeping their options open with Chelsea’s Ross Barkley being eyed while there has been some interest in Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as well. It remains to be seen who they end up signing, but there seems to be progress being made with regard to Pereira.
