It is a credit to the improvements he has made to his game that, two years on from his £10 million departure out of Old Trafford, it would reportedly take a bid of three times that much to convince the former Manchester United midfielder’s current employers to cash in.
Unfortunately for those aforementioned ‘current employers’, the clubs taking an interest in the one-time Red Devils ace are not short of cash.
And if £30 million really is what’s required, then the chances of Andreas Pereira sticking around for a third season at Fulham really do feel rather slim indeed.
“Obviously, some people know him more from Manchester United, but he’s really stepped up to the plate since going to Fulham,” former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given told Match of the Day after Perreira’s spring-time brace saw off West Ham.
“Marco Silva (The Cottagers’ head coach) is bringing the best out of him.”
Manchester United sold Andreas Pereira to Fulham
Pereira netted twice from his advanced midfield role that day. It’s a position he has thrived in for much of his Fulham career, and one he was utilised in all too infrequently at Manchester United.
Although that does have something to do with the presence of a certain Portuguese, as they say, ‘Magnifico’.
Pereira, in 82 Fulham appearances, has more goals (eight) and assists (15) than he managed in nearly the same number of games as a Man United player. A return to the Brazilian national team was fitting reward for arguably the most consistent season of his career, Pereira included for the Copa America while Casemiro watches on from home.
Pereira’s purpose and poise was also a major reason why Fulham finished in the cozy comfort of mid-table last term, despite losing star men Aleksandr Mitrovic that previous summer. With Tosin Adarabioyo on his way to Chelsea and Pereira himself now attracting interest from clubs a few rungs up the Premier League ladder, Marco Silva may find himself having to rebuild and restructure once again.
At least a windfall in the £30 million bracket should make finding replacements a little easier.
Tottenham and Newcastle United interested
Brazilian publication Globo Esporte reports that Pereira is ‘unlikely’ to be a Fulham player in time for 2024/25.
They add that top-flight trio Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested, with a decision likely to be made after this summer’s Copa America.
All of those aforementioned trio finished above Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side last season. Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have also been linked.
“I wanted to show people that I can play in the Premier League. That I can play at the highest level,” Pereira told Fulham Fix, explaining why he decided to leave United for West London after a loan spell at Flamengo.
“When the boss (Silva) called me, he said; ‘I know you have the quality to play in the Premier League. I want you to show it, and I want to give you the chance to do it’. When he said that, it was like a challenge for me.
“I spoke about (moving to Fulham) with my father,” Pereira adds. “And I said; ‘I want to prove the people wrong. I’m a top player, I want to play in a top league’.
“So that’s what made me come to Fulham.”
That desire to ‘prove’ himself at the very highest level may also be what convinces Pereira to leave Fulham too.