Andreas Pereira transfer collapses to leave Erik ten Hag with a fifth Man Utd outcast to shift
Erik ten Hag has a new name he must determine the future of this summer after the proposed transfer of Andreas Pereira to Flamengo collapsed, per reports.
The midfielder, 26, was loaned out to Brazilian side Flamengo last summer. Pereira started his fourth loan spell away from Old Trafford brightly, though a critical error in the 2021 Copa Libertadores final soured his stay.
By all accounts, his form quickly dipped. That led to Flamengo beginning to have doubts over activating the £12m option to buy, per ESPN.
Pereira bounced back and rediscovered his form in recent weeks. However, despite Flamengo boss Paulo Sousa’s protestations, Pereira will now return to Manchester United.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano who tweeted Pereira’s permanent switch to Flamengo has ‘definitely collapsed’.
The trusted journalist also cited quotes from the player’s agent who told the Brazilian media: “He’s [Pereira] gonna return to European football.”
That is a decision against the wishes of Flamengo boss Sousa. After Pereira scored in Flamengo’s 2-1 victory over Fluminense on Sunday, Sousa admitted (via Brazilian outlet O Dia): “I would like to have continuity.
“We have already spoken with Bruno Spindel (Flamengo CEO). But it’s not just up to us. It depends on the player, his club (Manchester United). Today he was decisive, like Hugo Nogueira [Flamengo’s goalkeeper].”
Pereira to join four more facing axe?
Pereira has just one year remaining on his current United contract. As such, all eyes will be on what new boss Ten Hag decides to do in an area of the squad he is clearly seeking to revamp this summer.
The Daily Express recently claimed Ten Hag may only be afforded £120m to spend this summer. However, they claimed any money generated from player sales will be immediately made available for new arrivals.
Anthony Martial and defensive trio Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were all named in the report as players likely to be moved on.
Common sense would dictate Pereira will be added to that list. What’s more, the higher of a fee United can generate, the more Ten Hag will have to spend.
Should Ten Hag give Andreas Pereira a chance?
United’s central midfield options are poised to be thin on the ground very shortly. Both Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic will depart, leaving just Scott McTominay and Fred from last season’s options.
However, James Garner could be handed an opportunity to impress after a fantastic loan spell with Nottingham Forest. The Mirror recently reported Ten Hag will take more than a passing look at Garner in pre-season.
United are also on the hunt for a major acquisition in the position. Frenkie de Jong appears to be their top target, while alternative options such as Wolves’ Ruben Neves have been mooted.
As such, the chances of Pereira ever making an impact at Old Trafford again appear slim.
Assuming United are able to make at least one new addition and Garner impresses, we expect Pereira to be sold this summer to avoid losing him for free in 2023.
