Former Leeds United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has talked up the idea of the Whites signing Matheus Pereira from West Brom this summer.
The Lowdown: Pereira linked with Leeds move
The Baggies have been relegated back to the Championship, but Pereira has undoubtedly caught the eye for them this season.
Th 25-year-old has chipped in with 10 goals and five assists for Sam Allardyce’s side – a highly impressive tally, considering his team’s struggles.
Pereira has been linked with a summer move to Leeds, with the Brazilian highly unlikely to be playing second-tier football at the Hawthorns in 2021/22.
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The Latest: Kenny lauds Pereira’s quality
Someone who believes Pereira could be an excellent signing for Leeds is Kenny, who told Football Insider that he will play even better in a team not scrapping at the bottom of the Premier League:
“If financially it works for them and he gets the right money and the chance to go back to the Premier League, you can’t stand in his way.
“On the other hand, someone like him could be key to getting promotion next season if they could keep hold of him. But I think he’ll probably go.
“He hasn’t covered himself in glory for much of this season but it’s a difficult league.
“Your mentality changes, you see. You go from being a team chasing promotion that is winning week in, week out and then all of a sudden your mentality has got to change.
“You must accept you’re going to lose more matches in the Premier League. But for the right team, he’s a top player, no doubt about that.”
The Verdict: Worth a gamble
Pereira is a hugely talented player who could definitely be worth taking a punt on this summer, as Marcelo Bielsa aims to perfect his squad.
Per Whoscored, the Brazilian averages 1.8 shots and 1.8 key passes per match, which is just slightly less than Leeds’ most creative threat, Raphinha.
He is capable of playing both in an attacking midfield role and out wide, with that versatility potentially appealing to the Leeds manager, and he brings end product and unpredictability to the side.
Kenny is right in saying that spells of poor form for West Brom should be overlooked, with Pereira no doubt frustrated at playing alongside inferior players at times.
In other news, Leeds reportedly have their eye on another winger ahead of the summer transfer window. Find out who it is here.
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