Front runner named in Crystal Palace and Fulham race to appoint Vitor Pereira

Fulham are considered the most likely destination for Vitor Pereira if he is to make an immediate return to the Premier League.

The Cottagers could face competition from Crystal Palace, with both Alvaro Arbeloa and Pierre Sage under intense scrutiny heading into a crucial stage of the season.

After securing a 1-0 win at home against Hull City last time out, the Cottagers boss has eased the pressure on his position, but he is not out of the woods just yet.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Pereira is high on the list of targets for both Premier League clubs if they are forced to make a change.

However, Crystal Palace are believed to be considering other options as things stand, potentially handing Fulham a free run at him if they pull the trigger on Arbeloa.

No change is expected immediately at Craven Cottage, but the former Nottingham Forest boss is firmly in their sights, and they are his most likely next destination.

Could Fulham make a move for Vitor Pereira?

Brown told Football Insider on 18 October that Pereira is keen to return to the Premier League and is eyeing the potential vacancy at Fulham as a likely landing spot.

The Cottagers are not yet planning to make a managerial change, having opted to back Arbeloa through a difficult period, and remain hopeful he will turn things around.

However, should results continue to falter and if they are forced into a change, they are expected to be the front-runners in the race for Pereira's signature.

"Vitor Pereira is a top manager and he's out of the job at the moment so of course he is going to be considered," Brown told Football Insider.

"But I don't think he's going to be the one Crystal Palace go for, there are other names higher on their list, and who might be a better fit for what they're trying to do.

"If any club was going to make a move for him, I think the front runners would be Fulham, and there were whispers that might happen.

"If they are forced to make a change, which could still happen even if they are sticking with Arbeloa for now, he is the option I expect they would really be pushing for.

"Whereas with Palace, I think they're going to look elsewhere, so I would say Fulham are the most likely destination for him."

Which managers are on Crystal Palace's radar?

Despite links with a potential move for Pereira, Crystal Palace are likely to look elsewhere if they are forced into a change with regard to their managerial situation.

Sage is under increasing pressure following their 5-0 defeat against rivals Brighton last time out, and that has led to the Eagles considering the potential replacements.

Football Insider revealed on 19 October that the current candidates for the Selhurst Park role include Rob Edwards, Sean Dyche and Thomas Frank.

Edwards is well-liked by sporting director Matt Hobbs, who worked with him at Wolves and is said to be pushing the club towards his appointment should they make a change.

Dyche, meanwhile, is being backed by Palace confidant Iain Moody, while Frank was under consideration before Sage landed the job during the summer.