West Bromwich Albion hold the option to sign Matheus Pereira for as little as £8m in the summer transfer window, with the fee with Sporting Lisbon pre-agreed.  

Pereira has been amongst the Championship’s most impressive players this season, with the playmaker’s form helping the Baggies to second in the table and only nine games away from a Premier League return after a short absence.

In 33 appearances, the 23-year-old has struck six goals and registered 12 assists, lighting up the Hawthorns and giving Slaven Bilic’s side the link he needs between the midfield and attack.

Often, as we approach this time of year, what happens to a club’s loanees is up for debate, but it appears that West Brom are in a great position when it comes to Pereira.

The Athletic report that a fee of just £8m has been pre-arranged with Sporting for the service of the playmaker, which should lead to Albion pushing on with an ‘affordable’ deal.

It is also the belief of the Championship club that Pereira is worth more than that initial £8m already, leaving the signature of the 23-year-old’s a low-risk one.

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The Verdict

When you consider Pereira has 18 goal involvements this season already (with nine games remaining), £8m is a steal.

When you consider that Albion’s rivals spend a lot more money on less effective playmakers, it is a no-brainer for Bilic to press on with the deal and secure Pereira long-term.

On the basis of 37 Championship games, this looks a steal.

Thoughts? Let us know!