Despite claims earlier this year that Flamengo were close to wrapping up a deal for Andreas Pereira, nothing has been signed yet.
The Mail claimed just last month that a fee of £8.8 million had been agreed for the Manchester United midfielder.
Since then it has all gone quiet, but that does not mean Flamengo have backed off entirely.
A fresh report from Brazilian outlet O Dia claims Flamengo have set a deadline to do a deal.
Flamengo want a move for Pereira to be completed by early April.
This is because there is a requirement for Flamengo to register players for the group stages of the Copa Libertadores.
While the group dates are covered in Pereira’s initial loan until the end of June, Flamengo want to plan ahead.
United should try to speed this up
Flamengo reportedly want to sign Pereira on a deal until 2026. The midfielder is happy at the Brazilian club, where he has been on loan since last August.
The former Lazio and Valencia loanee has not future at Old Trafford, and nobody would really bat an eyelid if he were simply released at this point.
So getting a fee for him is a bonus. Pereira’s contract runs out in 2023, after signing an extension in 2019.
United won’t want this to drag out to the summer, especially if Flamengo back away and United have to find an entirely new club for him.
Getting a move agreed by April will boost United’s transfer budget for the summer, and be one task removed from the club’s ‘to do list’ ahead of a busy few months.
Anything the club can do to speed up this sale now, United should do it.
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