Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United looking to snap up Flamengo midfielder Joao Gomes by offering Andreas Pereira in a swap deal
According to journalist Julio Miguel Neto on Youtube (h/t Express), Manchester United are interested in signing Flamengo midfielder Joao Gomes in the upcoming summer transfer window, and perhaps could consider offering loanee Andreas Pereira in a swap deal.
Pereira was sent out on loan to Flamengo at the beginning of the season, in a bid to gain more minutes after becoming a fringe player in the United squad. Despite making his senior debut a couple of years back, the academy product has never been able to establish himself in the first team.
He looked set for an exit from Manchester at the end of the campaign, with the Brazilian club looking to sign the loanee on a permanent basis for £8.5m. However, they have now backed out of the deal after Pereira was unable to prove his worth at the Serie A side during his temporary stay.
A big reason for this is Gomes’ form, which has seen Pereria often been kept out of the team. Although he is only 21, Gomes has graduated from the academy to establish himself in the Rio de Janeiro side over the past few months.
Swap deal for Pereira and Gomes
This has seen the Red Devils look to snap up Gomes in order to reinforce their midfield, with the English giants looking to send two officials to Brazil in order to scout the player, given his dazzling displays on the pitch for Flamengo this term.
Although the Brazilian side are open to parting with Gomes in the summer on a permanent basis for a transfer fee, it remains to be seen if United are capable of negotiating a swap deal with Flamengo that involves Pereira and Gomes switching places.
Midfield is an area at Old Trafford that needs fresh faces in the summer, with the impending departures of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, and Jesse Lingard for free when their contracts run out at the end of the season.
This leaves a big gap in the middle of the park, which puts a lot of responsibility on Fred, Scott McTominay, and Donny van de Beek to shoulder. They would remain as the only midfield options next term if the English giants are unable to sign new players.
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Although a swap deal to sign Gomes is a potential option, the Red Devils could also consider buying the player outright in a straight cash purchase. The 21-year-old is expected to cost upwards of £30m, according to Brazilian outlet Coluna do Fla (h/t Express).
Pereira’s future at United is also up in the air, and it remains to be seen where he will end up ahead of the new campaign. The best deal that works out for all parties may be a swap deal as suggested, but only time will tell if Flamengo are willing to consider such a transaction.
