Only a fortnight ago, a report emerged suggesting that a player Manchester United sold for just £10 million at the start of the Erik ten Hag era had emerged as a transfer target for one of the biggest clubs in European football.
And if you were wondering why Atletico Madrid are running the rule over a man who made only 24 Premier League starts in over a decade contracted to the Red Devils, the stellar performance he produced on Sunday afternoon should go some way to providing an explanation.
One of the big frustrations, among Fulham supporters, is that Andreas Pereira has a habit of going missing at times. Especially from open play, the Brazilian often relying on set-piece situations to make an impact.
That 2-0 win at West Ham, however, is a reminder of exactly what Pereira can do. The challenge, now, is for the Belgium-born former Manchester United prospect to produce performances like this more often.
Manchester United sold Andreas Pereira to Fulham
“West Ham couldn’t deal with him really. He was fantastic playing as a ‘number ten’ and deservedly got Man of the Match,” former Newcastle, Aston Villa and Man City goalkeeper Shay Given told Match of the Day after Pereira scored twice at the London Stadium.
His first brace in 111 Premier League appearances for Man United and Fulham. After setting up a hat-trick of goals in a 5-0 hammering of West Ham back in December, it’s fair to say David Moyes is just glad to see the back of him.
“Obviously, some people know him more from Man United,” Given argues. “But he’s really stepped up to the plate since going to Fulham. Marco Silva (The Cottagers’ head coach) is bringing the best out of him.”
Pereira, when explaining why he opted to join the West London outfit two years ago in conversation with Fulham Fix, opened up on the role Silva played in that decision. The late-blooming 28-year-old ‘wanted to show people that I can play in the Premier League’.
And Silva never had any doubts that he could do exactly that, the manager’s faith now rewarded.
Brazil star credits Marco Silva with his impressive form
“Playing between the lines, West Ham could not get hold of him,” Given adds, Pereira giving West Ham’s £30 million England international the runaround. “James Ward-Prowse had a tough afternoon trying to look after him.
“(Pereira was) always showing, looking to play the ball forward, being super positive. He’s really physically fit. A strong and powerful runner, and a typical Brazilian as well.
“The flicks and tricks come out. It’s nice on the eye.”
Pereira trebled his seasonal tally in just one afternoon at the London Stadium. Two years on from that Man United departure – back in the Brazil squad and on the radar of a bonafide continental giant in Champions League quarter-finalists Atletico – if Pereira felt like he had a point to prove when joining Fulham, then prove it he is.