Why Gabriel Pereira pursuit proves West Ham's recruitment has shifted

West Ham United are looking at FC Copenhagen defender Gabriel Pereira in a sign of the club's transfer policy changing.

Mateus Fernandes is the only confirmed exit from the London Stadium so far this summer, but more big-name stars are set to follow.

Adapting to life outside the Premier League is something West Ham are still getting to grips with.

However, recent transfer links suggest a change in police.

Cincinnati ace Evander has been linked with West Ham, while Pereira is another on their radar.

And the Irons already know exactly how much it will cost to sign the latter amid a new update from abroad.

Gabriel Pereira price tag set amid West Ham interest

Brazilian journalist Pablo Oliveira, who has over 30,000 followers on X, reported on Wednesday that West Ham are interested in Pereira.

The ambidextrous centre-back is said to fit West Ham's recruitment profile.

FC Copenhagen value Pereira at £20million, of which 10 per cent will go to former club Gil Vicente.

The 26-year-old will not exactly be well known to West Ham fans - but that is exactly the point.

West Ham are seemingly no longer looking at players from Europe's top five leagues, which has been their go-to ploy in recent times.

That is totally understandable, given that is where the best of the best ply their trade.

Instead, it seems like the Hammers have accepted they now have to nab such players before they reach those heights.

Evander and Pereira play in MLS and the Danish Superliga respectively - a far cry from LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1, the Bundesliga and Premier League.

But deals for both would make sense on the basis of it, particularly Pereira as he ticks plenty of boxes.

Why Pereira fits the profile for West Ham and Nuno Espirito Santo

Pereira can play with both feet so can therefore play as a right or left-sided centre-back.

Nuno Espirito Santo will be eager to get in versatile players, especially in defence.

Aged 26, Pereira is also in the category of not yet being in his peak but also not being young.

The Brazilian, who started his career in his homeland with Volta Redonda, is known for wanting to play the ball out from the back.

That is another attribute West Ham will very much be looking at as they bring in more players.

The £20m price tag may raise one or two eyebrows, but there is no reason why a fee cannot be negotiated.