Exclusive: West Brom on verge of signing player worth £25m – Whelan
Noel Whelan claims that West Brom attacker Matheus Pereira is worth in excess of £20million as he closes in on a permanent deal with the Baggies.
The former Leeds striker and Championship expert, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, has been left raving over the winger’s performances at the Hawthorns this season.
As quoted by the Express and Star, Bilic confirmed that the 24-year-old loanee is likely to trigger the permanent purchase clause – said to total £9million – against Birmingham on Saturday.
The versatile forward has scored six goals and contributed 16 assists in the Championship during his loan spell from Sporting CP.
With the Baggies on the brink of securing Pereira’s permanent capture, Whelan believes they would have to spend a significant amount of money to come close to signing someone of his quality from another club.
Whelan told Football Insider: “Really creative player, fantastic on the ball, creates, scores, a player that everyone needs in the side – a player you can very rarely leave out the side because of the brilliance he has.
“He’s had a fantastic season, it doesn’t surprise me they’re trying to tie him down because you’d have to go out and pay at least £20-25million to come even close to a talent like that.”
Bilic was quoted as saying: “He will become our player if he plays on Saturday. That is very likely to happen, of course, unless something crazy happens. But definitely we are delighted that it is happening.
“A contract is a contract. It’s all been sorted. It’s great to have a situation where we have him permanently.”
In other West Brom news, Football Insider has delivered an update on Grady Diangana potentially staying at the Hawthorns next season.