Hammers Look To Capitalise On United Turbulence With Shock Loan Move

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West Ham United are set to take advantage of the troubles which besiege Manchester United to land midfielder Andreas Pereira, according to a Sunday Mirror report.

The 22-year-old recently stunned the Old Trafford hierarchy by rejecting the club’s offer of a three-year contract as he searches for regular first-team football. Belgium-born Pereira spent the past two seasons on loan in Spain, firstly with Granada and latterly Valencia.

This season was expected to be his breakthrough year in the Premier League. However, his first-team appearances have so far come mainly from the bench. Two starts in the league, with two from the bench; United’s 3 – 1 defeat at Anfield was their 17th game of the season.

Pereira is, it seems, no closer to claiming his first-team spot than under van Gaal or Moyes. With his current deal expiring at the end of the season, United may be minded to permit a loan deal to relieve their wage bill.

West Ham are the likeliest destination, despite interest from Chelsea and Arsenal. Equally, Mourinho is unwilling to sanction a move to teams he considers direct rivals. Arsenal have reason to be wary of deals with the United boss. A loan deal for Demba Ba in 2013 was pulled at the last-minute after then-Chelsea boss Mourinho pulled the plug while the Portuguese was reportedly furious when the Blues sold Petr Cech to the Gunners/

Pereira’s international aspirations are not damaged by his current situation although he cannot take his place in the Brazil squad for granted. The 22-year-old made his debut as a substitute in the 5 – 0 friendly win over El Salvador.

A move to the London Stadium may help that dream more permanent.