It appears Slaven Bilic's wait for a second signing of the summer is set to continue as West Bromwich Albion have reportedly ended their pursuit of Sporting winger Matheus Pereira. 

Benfica attacking midfielder Filip Krovinovic is currently the only new player to join West Brom in this transfer window, which closes on the 8th of August.

The Baggies were understood to be targeting Pereira but that move appears to now be off.

According to Sky Sports (18/07, 12:03), the Baggies have ended their chase of the winger after Sporting demanded too high a price.

Sky Sports suggest that the Portuguese club were keen on sending the Brazilian on loan to the Hawthorns but their desired loan fee has put the Baggies off.

The 23-year-old is a product of the Sporting academy but has made just 27 appearances for the club, with the majority of his senior career being played while on loan.

Pereira made 21 appearances for Nurnberg last season, scoring three times and turning creator twice, but had the most productive season of his career at Liga NOS side GD Chaves in 2017/18, where he scored seven goals and provided five assists.

West Brom narrowly missed on the play-offs last season and will be hoping that with their new boss at the helm they can go one better in the upcoming campaign.

The Verdict

This is a blow for the Baggies as time is running out for them to add attacking reinforcements in the summer transfer window.

The Baggies will be without their two leading scorers from last season, following the completion of Dwight Gayle's loan and Jay Rodriguez's move to Burnley, while striker Salomon Rondon is also set to leave the club.

Matty Phillips, Hal Robson-Kanu, Oliver Burke and Jonathan Leko are currently the only forwards at West Brom, and given the latter three players have contributed a combined 11 goals and seven assists in 138 appearances Bilic needs more options.

Pereira could have been just that but it appears they will now have to look elsewhere this summer.