‘Blimey’ – Exclusive: Kevin Phillips stunned by reported West Brom agreement for Pereira
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips is stunned that West Brom have been able to agree such a small fee to sign Matheus Pereira on a permanent deal.
Pereira, 23, joined the Baggies on loan from Sporting CP in the summer for a fee of just over £700,000.
However the Brazilian’s stay in The Hawthorns was agreed to be made permanent to the tune of a further £8.25million if he made 30 Championship appearances of 45 minutes or more.
The Telegraph reported last month that if Pereira played every game since their report was published, Pereira would officially become a West Brom player after their match against Birmingham City on March 14.
Pereira has done exactly that and as long as he plays for 45 minutes or more on Saturday, that £8.25million permanent deal will be automatically triggered and the Brazilian will become a full-time addition at The Hawthorns.
Ex-Albion forward Phillips cannot believe how his former club have been able to pull off such a cheap deal for a player as talent as Pererie.
When asked if West Brom are getting a bargain at £8.25millin, Phillips exclusively told West Brom News: “You’re not wrong, blimey.
“You look at some of the transfers paid between Championship sides for players, £8.25million surprises me.
“That’s certainly a snip in my view. £8.25million nowadays is like £800,000 – it’s just nothing. A club wouldn’t even bat an eyelid paying that kind of money.
“If you can get the likes of his quality, then, of course, it’s a no-brainer to get the deal done.”
Pereira has been one of the leading players in the Championship this season with the Brazilian attacker scoring six goals and supplying 16 assists in 33 league appearances [tranfermarkt].
It would be fair to say that his form has dipped slightly in the last couple of matches but there’s no doubting that the reportedly imminent deal is a masterstroke by the Baggies.
Pereira seems ready-made for the Premier League.
Let’s hope we can see him playing there for the Albion next season.
In other West Brom news, Phillips is adamant that this under-fire 26-year-old will start every game up until the end of the season.