Recent reports from Brazilian media outlet Globo Esporte suggest that Flamengo are keen on securing Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira’s services on a permanent basis in the ongoing transfer window as Paulo Sousa looks set to add to his options as the centre of the park.
The 26-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at the Brazilian club as a part of the deal that includes a €20m buy option. However, Flamengo have placed a bid in the region of only €8m, believing that it would be sufficient to convince the senior figures at Manchester United.
The deal was formally submitted by the red-blacks last week, and the immediate word was that the United board had rejected it. However, the latest reports state there has been no response to the offer yet, with both parties believing that it’s a game of patience at the moment. Pereira will sign a 4-year contract with the Brasiliero Serie A side if the deal goes through, keeping him at the club until 2026.
Despite the offered value being €12m less than what the Red Devils have asked for, there’s plenty of optimism among the Flamengo board regarding the deal based on three key factors.
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Firstly, Pereira’s current contract at Old Trafford expires in June 2023, meaning he’d be free to sign a pre-contract just six months after the end of the 2021/22 Premier League season. This increases his chances of a free exit. Judging from the present scenario, not too many clubs are in the race for the Duffel-born midfielder’s signature, so €8m might as well be the best value they can sell him for.
Secondly, Manchester United are expected to sign a midfielder at the earliest possible opportunity. But given the humongous wages of stars like Raphael Varane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and several others, they might need to offload some players to keep up with the Financial Fair Play rules. Under such circumstances, Pereira’s wages would be an additional burden.
The third and the most critical factor is the player’s own will. Having had a decent season in Brazil, it is widely believed that number 18 is willing to extend his stay at Rio de Janeiro.
Should Rangnick Let Him Leave?
In an interview with TNT Sports last year, he revealed his intentions of securing regular game time irrespective of the club he is playing for.
“I’m ready to play, I’m not a boy anymore. I’m a man ready to take responsibility,” he said.
“I’m sure that with playing time and continuity as a starter in my position, I can show what I’ve done on base, I can score more goals and give assists.
A player of my position needs the confidence to play and the freedom to be bold on the field.
In Manchester or elsewhere, the time has come to play, to have at least an hour per game on the field, to have the confidence to play.
I want to be happy, to feel important.”
Given the presence of some world-class midfielders at Manchester United, it’s doubtful that he’ll be getting regular minutes at Old Trafford under Rangnick. Hence, a permanent move away seems to be the best possible option for his career right now.
