Leeds United could strengthen their ranks ahead of the 2021-22 season with the addition of West Bromwich Albion attacker Matheus Pereira. Pereira joined the Baggies on a permanent deal last year after impressing on loan at the club.
As per ESPN Brazil, the Whites are interested in the 25-year-old and the player too is looking to return to the Premier League and would be keen on a move to Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Several Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in the Brazilian playmaker.
Pereira, in the 2020-21 season, scored 12 goals and provided 6 assists in 34 games in all competitions. He was the club’s top-scorer and assist-maker in the season. He still has three years remaining on his current deal at the club.
Matheus Pereira: A quality addition to the squad?
Matheus Pereira was West Brom’s best player in a season that they struggled and were eventually relegated from the league. The Brazilian attacker was inventive in the final third, got at the end of passes to score, and was the Baggies’ go-to player in attack.
Pereira is a versatile operator who can play across the front three in attack, as well as the No. 10 role, which is his natural position. He is a technically sound player who can dribble and take on defenders, while also possessing exceptional passing and crossing skills. Pereira has the vision and ability to pick out passes and create chances for his team-mates, and has shown at the Hawthorns that he can conjure moments of brilliance even playing in a severely limited side.
In a struggling West Brom side, he created an average of 1.8 key passes per game, as well as took 2 shots on average per game. The versatile attacker featured on the left and right as a wideman, while also playing as an attacking midfielder. He is adept at playing any of those roles and would be a solid addition to most mid-table Premier League sides.
Pereira could be a fantastic signing for Leeds and a replacement for Pablo Hernandez, who left the club at the end of last season. He could slot in to the attacking midfield role, as part of the Leeds midfield three, or play on either wing. Raphinha had a solid first season on the right side of attack for Leeds and Pereira could offer him competition.
The Brazilian has the technical ability to fit into Bielsa’s style of play, but may have to improve in the defensive aspect of his game. Matheus Pereira has experience of playing in England, is at the right age to develop further, and would give Leeds plenty of options going forward.