Pranav Nair
Lazio unlikely to meet Manchester United valuation of €25m for Andreas Pereira
According to Italian outlet Citta Celeste via Sportwitness, Manchester United ace Andreas Pereira, on loan at Lazio, could very well be on his way back to the club in the summer.
The 25-year-old is currently at Italian giants Lazio on a season-long loan. With just one goal and two assists in 21 appearances, he has failed to make a major impact at the Stadio Olimpico. (h/t Transfermarkt)
As things stand, it is difficult to see Lazio fork out the €25m required to make the deal permanent at the end of the current campaign.
Pereira has failed to fit in at Simone Inzaghi’s Lazio and just four of his 21 appearances this season have come as starts. It is a disappointing turn of events for a player who was finally afforded a chance to showcase what he could do.
Signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2011, Pereira progressed through the ranks, even winning the coveted ‘Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year award’ in 2014/15.
This promise however failed to translate into first-team performances. Pereira has made 75 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions. But an abject return of four goals and five assists showcases the lack of impact he has had. (h/t Transfermarkt)
With the chance to impress at United coming at a premium, this move to Italy was an opportunity for him to showcase his abilities. While he still has a little less than half a season to do that, there is little reason to expect a turnaround.
His contract at United runs until 2023, which should preserve his transfer value even if he returns in the summer. Unfortunately, his poor performances in Italy have ruined both his and United’s prospects of finding him a new home.
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A versatile player, Pereira can play in a variety of roles in both the attack and midfield. He has won one cap for Brazil, all the way back in 2018.
Pereira also won the Manchester United goal of the season in the 2018/19 season for his strike against Southampton.
