Matheus Pereira has certainly established himself as an early contender for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season award, after an incredible campaign for West Bromwich Albion thus far.

The Brazilian playmaker arrived at The Hawthorns on a season-long loan from Sporting CP in the summer, and has since established himself as one of the most exciting players to watch in the EFL.

The 23-year-old has scored five goals and registered a further 10 assists for Slaven Bilic's side, for a team that have scored 41 goals in the Championship and look on course to win promotion to the Premier League this term.

Heading into Wednesday night's clash with Wigan Athletic, Albion sit 10 points clear of third-placed Fulham, with Pereira playing an influential role in helping them climb to the summit of the league standings.

Pereira has already attracted interest from one of the biggest clubs in the world this season - the Mirror claimed that Manchester United are keeping tabs on the midfielder, ahead of a potential January move.

Can you get 15 out of 15 on this West Brom quiz?

Pereira's future looks to be in the West Midlands, though. It is believed that personal terms have already been agreed, ahead of a permanent £9m move to Albion.

FLW's Chief Editor Sam Rourke recently caught up exclusively with Nigel Quashie, who offered his thoughts on the speculation.

The former Albion midfielder admitted that it's no surprise to see a club the size of Manchester United being linked with Pereira's signature, although the 41-year-old also paid tribute to Pereira's teammates who continue to get the best out of him on a weekly basis.

He said: "It doesn't surprise me. But what it does entail is that there's players around him that are really giving him that freedom to go and express himself in the attacking areas.

"That boils down to the team as well - you've got to give the ball to these kind of players to really see them dictate the play.

"Saying that, when things haven't gone his way and when he has had to work hard, there's no faulting that either. He's been absolutely brilliant.

"When anybody sits around me and my son, the first thing they notice is his work ethic - and that can't be bad if he is an attacking player."