Former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips has urged Matheus Pereira to stay with the Baggies next season amid Premier League interest.
West Ham United have been named as a club that are interested in the playmaker, who has registered 16 assists in the Championship this term (Transfermarkt).
The 23-year-old joined the Baggies on a season-long loan deal from Sporting Lisbon and his impressive displays have reportedly caught the eye of the Hammers.
However, Phillips feels he will be better off staying with West Brom. As quoted on Football Insider, he said:
It is this stage of the season where these rumours can work to unease a player or put doubt into his mind. Only Pereira knows where he will want to play next season. I hope it is with the Baggies in the Premier League.
When a player has helped a club get promotion you often see them stay because they feel happy and wanted because that is usually the case.
READ WEST HAM VERDICT
Phillips’ advice may not be popular amongst West Ham fans.
The club are currently struggling for a productive playmaker, with Manuel Lanzini currently having zero goals and just three assists this season (Transfermarkt).
Pablo Fornals is beginning to improve but only has five assists, so it’s clear to see that Pereira could be of some help to the Hammers if he signs this summer because of his creativity.
The midfielder averages 2.5 key passes per Championship match (WhoScored) and that could be exactly what players like Sebastien Haller need to thrive at the Hammers.
Pereira is also only 23, which fits the new quota that manager David Moyes is looking for in the transfer market after he admitted that he wants to sign players that are 25 or under (The Guardian).
With many fans wanting Lanzini sold, we feel Pereira could be the ideal man to come in and fill his shoes, but West Brom are closing in on triggering a clause which will oblige them to sign him permanently at the end of the season.
