Reliable journalist shares West Brom-Pereira update after coronavirus causes EFL shutdown
With the news that the EFL is suspended for the rest of the month, there have been concerns among West Brom fans about where that leaves the situation regarding Matheus Pereira.
According to the Telegraph, the 23-year-old, who joined the Baggies on loan from Sporting CP in the summer, was due to become a permanent addition at The Hawthorns after the match against Birmingham on March 14.
It was understood that a clause would be triggered in Pereira’s loan deal to make him a full-time Albion player once he made 30 Championship appearances of 45 minutes or more.
So far, Pereira has completed 29 of those and was set to have his £8.25million permanent switch to West Brom sealed on Saturday, as long as he played 45 minutes or more against Blues at The Hawthorns.
However the EFL’s announcement that the league has been called off for the rest of March has added some doubts to where that agreement stands.
Express & Star journalist Joseph Masi has now added some clarity though – and it makes for good reading for Baggies fans.
Masi reports that West Brom have the option to sign Pereira permanently for £8.25million at “any time during his loan” – and they still have that right.
Pereira’s move to West Brom is inevitable, but that inevitability has simply been delayed by the coronavirus outbreak.
It’s good news for the Baggies, who are getting a bargain deal for the Brazilian attacker.
Kevin Phillips exclusively told West Brom News this week that the agreement to sign Pereira permanently is a “snip” compared to other figures you see being floated around in football these days.
We agree. Luke Dowling and co have played a blinder with this deal.
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.