REPORT: Lazio Open Talks to Sign Manchester United Midfielder Andreas Pereira

Lazio Begin Talks With Manchester United to Sign Andreas Pereira

Lazio have opened talks with Manchester United to sign Andreas Pereira. He’s considered as an ‘option’, negotiations with #MUFC have just started. 🔴 @SkySport #transfers

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 27, 2020

Out-of-Favour at Old Trafford

The 24-year old has failed to establish himself at United during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign as manager and could finally leave the club after he was again left out for Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. He was also absent from the 18-man squad for the Carabao Cup third-round win over Luton Town in midweek, despite Solskjaer choosing to heavily rotate his squad, with captain Harry Maguire the sole survivor in the starting 11 from the Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace.

In 25 Premier League appearances last year, the midfielder, born in Belgium, scored once and made three assists. This summer, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has dipped into the transfer market to add another attacking-midfielder to the ranks at Old Trafford, signing Dutch star Donny van de Beek from Ajax.

Lazio to Offer Pereira a Way Out of Manchester United

With the arrival of Van de Beek, the 24-year old’s already-limited playing time is likely to take a hit but in the last week of the transfer window, Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi is making an attempt to offer Pereira an out.

A Manchester United academy graduate, who has had spells in Spain with Granada and Valencia, Pereira is liked for the versatility he offers across the midfield. The Brazilian’s spells in La Liga were very different in that he mostly played different positions in both spells. His performances may not have been something for United to shout about, but he had earnt himself a positive reputation. It may be that he is better suited to football in Spain, and perhaps, Italy than in England.

The Italian side’s midfield is lacking depth and Pereira could provide competition for Luis Alberto. Alberto signed from Premier League champions Liverpool in 2016 and had a stellar 2019/20 season, scoring six times and providing 16 assists in Serie A.

Pereira signed a new contract with United in March last year to keep him at the club until 2023, with an option to extend for a further year.

He featured in just three of the Red Devils’ games post-lockdown and is yet to feature this season after making a total of 40 appearances throughout 2019/20.