ExWHUemployee claims West Ham could sign Matheus Pereira as Lingard alternative
Reliable transfer source Ex-West Ham Employee has revealed that the club like the idea of signing Matheus Pereira from West Brom this summer.
On his podcast, The West Ham Way, the club insider stated that Jesse Lingard remains a priority, but Pereira as an alternative is already being considered at the club.
He said, “Johnstone, the West Brom ‘keeper, and Pereira (are in the mix).
“I don’t think we’d sign Lingard and Pereira but if we don’t (sign Lingard), he’s definitely an alternative that we like.
“I think (Tammy) Abraham and Lingard would be the top two targets and possibly Johnstone the ‘keeper and we’d pretty much blow the budget on those three you’d think if all goes to plan.”
This update comes after reports emerged that the Hammers were worried whether Man United are seriously willing to let go of the 28-year-old.
We’ll take it
Lingard has enjoyed taken his game to the next level at the London Stadium since joining on loan in the January window, ending the season with the second-highest number of goals despite being there only for half the time.
Due to his purple patch at West Ham, he also got a call-up for Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man European Championships squad.
However, should the Hammers fail to sign him, ExWHUemployee believes they have a backup who is younger and would be at the club for a longer period of time.
Ideally, we would love to sign Lingard, but if that is not going to be a possibility, Pereira would be a more than able deputy.
The West Brom attacker was the ray of light in an otherwise abject-looking Baggies side this season. He stood out on numerous occasions, especially in the game against Chelsea where he scored a brace and set up two more goals to ensure his side won the game 3-2.
In total, he’s had 16 goal involvements in the Premier League, and at 25, he is a player still to hit his prime. Former Chelsea attacker Joe Cole recently referred to him as an ‘unbelievable’ player. [BT Sport, 09/05/21]
We’re not ruling out Lingard yet, but it will soften the blow if we are to sign Pereira in case we miss out on the Manchester United attacker.
In other West Ham news, Report: Hammers keen on signing £14m Dutch attacker – 24 goals/assists this season
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