Krishnan Sreekumar
Flamengo perform a last-minute transfer U-turn to sign Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira
According to Esporte (h/t The Sun), Manchester United have received a transfer blow in their bid to offload midfielder Andreas Pereira to Flamengo, with the Brazilian club set to pull out of their offer for the player.
The 26-year-old has been playing for Flamengo since last summer when he secured a loan move away from United in a bid to play more first-team football after falling down the pecking order in Manchester due to the competition in the squad.
With stars like Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Fred, and Scott McTominay all ahead of him among the midfield options in the first team, Pereira flew to his native homeland to seek other opportunities to play regularly.
Although the player earned his senior call up to the Red Devils team three years ago, he could never establish himself in the side as he was loaned around to Granada, Valencia, and Lazio in previous seasons for the English club.
Pull the cord on transfers
His stay at Old Trafford was set to come to an end in the upcoming transfer window, as Flamengo were set to bid almost £9m for him after club representatives Marcos Braz and Bruno Spindel from the Brazilian giants flew to England in February to negotiate a deal.
However, the Brasileirão side’s legal issues with the Central Bank may now see them perform a transfer u-turn on Pereira. Flamengo president Rodolfo Landim is said to have pulled the cord on all incomings until the court case is concluded. Interestingly, Braz and Spindel were warned by other Flamengo officials that this investment would be risky although they still went ahead with it.
Aside from the problems with the bank and the club, another reason behind Pereira’s proposed move to Flamengo on the brink of collapsing is because of his own lacklustre performances in the last two months. With only ten appearances under his belt this term, the United loanee has seen himself relegated to the bench in the last two months.
It seems to be the same case for him as always, with the player having to make do with appearances as a substitute in his playing career. He was never able to establish himself in Manchester despite having the talent, but even while spending time with other clubs on loan, he has never been a regular starter for any side he has represented.
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If his move to Flamengo eventually turns out to only be a loan move, he is expected to return to Old Trafford in the summer when his temporary deal with the Brazilian giants expires. However, his future at United will be in doubt, given that he has thus far been unable to settle in properly with the first team.
A new permanent manager is expected to come in ahead of the new season at the Theatre of Dreams, so perhaps Pereira could look to impress the new boss and revitalise his career in England. If he fails to do so, perhaps another loan move may be on the cards for him.
