‘Extremely great deal’ – West Brom boss Bilic hails imminent ‘bargain’ swoop
Slaven Bilic has claimed that signing Matheus Pereira on a permanent basis will represent an “extremely great deal” for West Brom.
The Brazilian will trigger a clause in his loan deal that will make him an Albion player if he plays against Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon – a series of events that is likely to happen, according to Bilic.
That transfer will cost Albion around £9 million in total, including the initial £750,000 loan fee they paid at the beginning of the season, and the manager has been quick to hail the imminent swoop.
As quoted by the Express and Star, he said: “He [Pereira] wasn’t a known player before.
“I have many friends in Germany and I knew him from there, from Nuremberg. He played in the Bundesliga and got relegated while on loan from Sporting Lisbon.
“I saw a player that not only had Brazilian and Portuguese skill but also character, physicality, determination and personality. That is why we wanted him so much.
“That was his price then. Now it looks like a bargain. But why? Because he hit the ground great. We are delighted with him. It looks like an extremely great deal.”
Pereira has arguably been West Brom’s standout player this season, registering six goals and 16 assists in 33 Championship appearances during his first campaign in England.
The South American has a higher cross completion rate than Grady Diangana this season, as well as a higher pass completion rate, more shots per game to his name, and a total action success rate that is 5.1% better, as per Wyscout.
For all the world he has looked like a Premier League player in waiting this term, and snapping up a talent like that for under £10 million represents a major coup for West Brom.
This is a fantastic piece of business.
In other West Brom news, David Prutton predicts West Brom scoreline v Birmingham City.