Door now open for West Brom to re-sign Matheus Pereira as FA change rules
West Brom have been handed a major boost amid the opening of the summer transfer window as the Football Association (FA) announces a rule change regarding international player visas.
The governing body has now received updated Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) Criteria from the Home Office, which means Championship clubs are now able to sign four players who do not meet the current points requirements.
And that could directly impact the future of former Albion hero Matheus Pereira, who in January was forced to deny the “fake” rumours regarding a report that his club Al Hilal had terminated his contract.
The attacker joined the Saudi Arabian outfit two summers ago, with Pereira then moving to United Arab Emirates club Al Wahda on loan at the beginning of this year.
When that loan move was in the works, the Express and Star (18 January) reported that even if West Brom had the right funds, they could not re-sign him due to the player not having the required GBE points to play in England.
But that has all changed, with such rules now different to the ones that were in place previously.
“The Home Office has approved new Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) Criteria for international player visas which are effective from the opening of the June transfer window (14th June),” according to the official FA website.
“While the main points-based system will remain in place for the majority of players coming to the English game from overseas, The FA has designed a new football solution alongside stakeholders which works for everyone and provides additional access to exceptional international talent which falls outside the current GBE criteria.
“The additional access will allow clubs playing in the English league the ability to sign a number of players who do not meet the current points requirements. A maximum of four players will be available to Premier League and Championship teams, and two for League One and League Two teams.”
Baggies supporters would, of course, welcome back the 27-year-old with open arms, with Pereira definitely still having enough in the tank to hit the ground running at The Hawthorns for a third time, having initially joined the club on loan.
The star man registered tallies of 20 goals and 26 assists from his 77 Albion appearances, with Pereira certainly able to increase those figures if he was to make a sensational return to West Brom this summer.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies will listen to offers for one star defender and a big-money signing this summer.