Everton have reportedly made a loan bid with an option-to-buy for Manchester United midfielder Andres Pereira.
According to the report in the Brazilian outlet TNT Sports, Everton have been keeping a close eye on Brazilian midfielder Andreas Pereira for some time and have now ramped up their interest by submitting an official loan bid with an option to buy to Manchester United.
Pereira was poached by Manchester United back in 2012 for a nominal fee from PSV U-17 academy. Tipped as a youngster with great potential, the Brazilian’s development appears to have stalled, with him failing to impress when he has appeared for the first-team.
While he has shown glimpses of his talent and playmaking capability, he has failed to establish himself as a regular under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He had a frustrating loan spell last year at Lazio, who refused to exercise their option to purchase him on a permanent basis after seeing him produce only a single goal and just four assists in 33 appearances. Although to be kind to the Brazilian, only three of those were starts.
Pereira has since returned to Old Trafford and impressed in the preseason friendlies but clearly not in Solskjaer’s plans which has tempted United to transfer list the player and offload him at the right price touted to be around the £20 million mark.
Brazilian Serie A side Flamengo are apparently keen to bring him back to home soil and have also offered a loan escape route, but their bid doesn’t contain an option-to-buy which makes their case much weaker compared to other interested parties. Reports in Turkey suggest that Fenerbahce also have interest but haven’t moved with a formal approach yet, so nothing solid on that side.
Everton, on the other hand, have lodged a loan bid for the midfielder and have even included a to-buy option, which could appeal to Manchester United.
Pereira would be a decent acquisition for the Toffees, especially if you take into consideration that James Rodriguez’ might leave Goodison Park as he is not in Rafa Benitez’ plans which will leave them a little short in the creative department. The Brazilian could potentially fill in there; his versatility will come in handy for Benitez as he can use him as a winger on either flank or as a 10 linking up the play between the lines.
Pereira’s United contract runs till 2023. A loan deal with an option-to-buy would do the Toffees no harm, and his wages are also not much at a reported £30,000k per week. So, he won’t become a burden on the wage structure. This transfer rumour ticks every box. What now remains to be seen is whether this move materializes or not.
