Exclusive: Phillips admits potential economical impact on West Brom deal for ‘quality’ 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 believes that Matheus Pereira will not earn as much money at West Brom as what he might have done if football wasn’t hit by the coronavirus crisis.
Once football is back underway and the transfer window re-opens, there are concerns that the pause in the game could lead to a cut in spending across most clubs.
Pereira, 24, has been a hit on loan at West Brom this season and the club will eventually sign the Brazilian attacker on a permanent deal.
However the Express & Star has recently reported that Albion have had to agree to delay their first payment for Pereira with Sporting CP.
Pereira was set to become a full-time West Brom player on May 31 but with the season extremely unlikely to be concluded by then, the Black Country side have had to defer their initial payment for the 24-year-old.
Phillips is hopeful that there won’t be any major hitches in the permanent deal for Pereira but reckons he won’t be earning as much on his contract at The Hawthorns as he might have done before the coronavirus pandemic brought the game to a halt.
“I fully hope he’s able to sign but we all know it’s a strange situation,” the ex-Albion striker told West Brom News.
“I’d like to think that when we do start, West Brom get promoted and I’m sure he’ll want to stay there and play in the Premier League.
“It could be on reduced wages because it’s not going to be the same as what it would have been if we didn’t have this crisis.
“From the look of it, he’s enjoying his time at West Brom and I’m sure the club are desperate to keep him on board because he’s a quality player.”
Pereira has been in sensational form for Albion this season and has played a crucial role in Slaven Bilic’s side sitting second in the Championship.
The Brazilian has scored six goals and supplied 16 assists in the league and it is a no-brainer for the Baggies to get this permanent deal across the line.
In other West Brom news, West Ham and Sheffield United have made their minds up about Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson’s loan deals at The Hawthorns.
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