‘That’s fantastic news’ – Exclusive: Phillips delighted by Bilic transfer update on 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 delighted to see that West Brom are set to sign Matheus Pereira on a permanent deal from Sporting CP.
Last week, manager Slaven Bilic told Portuguese newspaper Record that the Baggies are obliged to sign Pereira, 23, once he reaches a certain number of games. Bilic added that even if the obligation-to-buy clause wasn’t met, Albion “would do it anyway”.
The Telegraph reported earlier this year that once Pereira made 30 appearances of 45 minutes or more, West Brom would be forced into paying Sporting a transfer fee of £8.25million for the Brazilian attacker.
Pereira was set to make that 30th appearance against Birmingham City last month, just before the coronavirus pandemic led to the Championship season being suspended.
However Bilic’s comments will assure West Brom fans that Pereira is signing no matter what. And, according to Phillips, that is a top piece of business by his former club.
“That’s fantastic news,” the ex-Baggies striker told West Brom News in an exclusive interview this week.
“I would imagine he wouldn’t come out and say that unless he had a good conversation with his parent club, with himself. If I’m a West Brom supporter I’d be very, very excited about that.
“He looks like a player that could settle in the Premier League and we know if they don’t go up, he can certainly perform in the Championship.
“That, for me, is really exciting news. If they can get it done and over the line as soon as possible, that’s going to be huge. I’m assuming the fee’s not going to be astronomical. The all-round business is very, very good.
“He’s been a massive bonus for them this season.”
Pereira is one of the best attacking players to grace The Hawthorns in recent years and the fact that he will become a full-time West Brom player is a huge boost to the club.
It has been a tough time for everyone in the world in 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis.
At least this bit of news will put a smile on the faces of West Brom’s loyal supporters.
In other West Brom news, Albion have been linked with a Croatian centre-back who Bilic handed his international debut.