West Bromwich Albion’s move for Brazilian forward Matheus Pereira has stalled due to Sporting Lisbon’s contract demands according to the Express & Star.
There has been speculation for the past week linking the Baggies to Pereira but just as it seemed they were about to complete the signing there was a stumbling block.
Albion are keen to acquire the winger on a season-long-loan deal with a view to buy at the end of the season depending on the outcome of their promotion challenge which they will surely be pushing for in the 2019/20 campaign.
Sporting want the Baggies to agree to an obligation to buy Pereira next summer, regardless of whether Albion are promoted or not, for a fee in the region of £9million.
However, should West Brom not achieve promotion to the top flight their parachute payments would fall dramatically again to around £15million which would almost inevitably prevent them from being able to spend £9million on any player.
Pereira would need to feature in just over half of Albion’s league games in the season to activate the purchase.
The winger comes with good pedigree and is believed to be highly rated but there is no guarantee that he will adapt well to English football and the different style of play and West Brom are rightly cautious about taking such a gamble on an unknown in this country.
Pereira is a versatile forward capable of playing on either wing. After moving to Portugal from Brazil at an early age he came through Sporting’s academy.
West Brom boss Slaven Bilic is known to be a big admirer of the 23-year-old and the Midlands side are still hoping that a deal can be completed and a compromise can be reached with the Portuguese club.
