Former Manchester United man could move to Saudi after 2022 Red Devils exit

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Andreas Pereira could leave the Premier League for Saudi Arabia just 18 months after Manchester United accepted a £10 million bid from Fulham.

While the performances of Teden Mengi and James Garner at Luton Town and Everton have led to rather awkward conversations about whether Manchester United were right to let them go, the case is a little more cut and dry when it comes to Andreas Pereira.

Even the most rose-tinted of Fulham supporters would have to accept that there is a bit of a chasm between the ‘good Pereira’ and the ‘bad Pereira’. Even when at his best, the Brazilian tends to rely on set-pieces to boost his chance creation numbers, Pereira all-too-frequently ineffective from open play.

So, with Al-Ahli making their interest known, don’t be surprised if Fulham seize the chance to make a considerable profit on a player who arrived at Craven Cottage to the tune of £10 million back in July 2022.

Former Manchester United man could move to Saudi Arabia

According to TNT Sport, Al-Ahli could firm up their interest next month. One of Saudi Arabia’s most well-heeled clubs – and that’s saying something – Pereira would join a host of former Premier League expats at the King Abdulla Sports City Stadium.

Roberto Firmino, Allan Saint-Maximin, Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy are already plying their trade with Al-Ahli. Ditto former Roma defender Roger Ibanez, ex-Celta Vigo talisman Gabri Veiga and Franck Kessi, once of Barcelona, Atalanta and AC Milan.

The Belgium-born Pereira, capped once by Brazil, spent eight years as a Manchester United player between 2014 and 2022. While spending much of that time out on loan, he was briefly a regular in the heart of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils midfield.

Ole Solskjaer was a fan

“He’s gone through the academy. We know what he’s capable of,” Solskjaer told the Manchester Evening News back in 2019. He’s got loads of energy and drive. Maybe we found a better position for him than as a number six. (Pereira) is more of an eight or a ten going forward.

“He’s got high energy. He’s got quality in his passing, crossing and shooting.”