West Bromwich Albion boss Valerien Ismael is open to sending Matheus Pereira out on loan for the 2021/22 campaign and using the fee to strengthen his squad, according to The Athletic. 

Pereira has been a key player for the Baggies over the past two seasons – adding 20 goals and 26 assists as he first helped them win promotion to the Premier League and then turned heads in the top flight.

However, following Albion's relegation back to the Championship the Brazilian playmaker has been linked with a move away from the Hawthorns – with Leeds United and West Ham United among the sides reportedly keen to offer him a route back to the Premier League.

The Athletic has reported that Pereira has been frozen out by Ismael, who wants the £25 million-rated 25-year-old to find a new club.

The Baggies boss is said to hold reservations about how effective the winger would be in the high-tempo and high-pressing style that he favours.

The report claims that if a permanent move does not materialise, Ismael is open to loaning him out for the 2021/22 campaign and using any money from the deal to improve his squad.

The Verdict

It seems for the time being Ismael does not see Pereira as part of his plans for the upcoming season and is assessing how to offload him before the summer window closes.

That may frustrate some Baggies fans given how important the 25-year-old has been for them in recent years but they have to trust in their new manager's processes.

He operates a very specific system and some players simply don't fit that, no matter how much quality they have.

If Albion's £25 million valuation cannot be met, then sending Pereira out on loan could be a very shrewd bit of business. Not only can Ismael use any cash generated to improve his squad but it means he has the option of bringing the winger back into the squad next summer, particularly if the Baggies get promoted.