Manchester United's new manager Erik ten Hag is keen to have Andreas Pereira back at Old Trafford when he arrives in the summer.
The 26-year-old midfielder, who has enjoyed a season-loan loan spell at Flamengo, was given the option to sign for the Brazilian side at the end of the 2021/22 campaign for a fee rising to £12 million based on appearances, according to ESPN.
But the report from earlier this month claims Flamengo will 'abandon a deal' to sign Pereira, with the belief that he hasn't done enough to convince the club to make a deal permanent, despite making 37 appearances in competitions.
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Pereira, who was convinced by Sir Alex Ferguson to join the ranks at Old Trafford in 2011 after impressing at the Manchester United Premier Cup, has failed to really make his mark at the Premier League club.
That, however, could change in the coming months.
According to ESPN, the midfielder has been told by United's football director John Murtough that new manager Erik ten Hag is 'keen' to have the midfielder back when he officially arrives in the summer.
If his permanent move to Flamengo does indeed break down like reports suggest, Pereira's career with the Reds could be reignited by Ten Hag, who spent time with the Brazilian during his spell at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.
The 26-year-old, who has also spent time on loan at Granada, Valencia and Lazio while at United, currently has one year left on his deal at Old Trafford.
Earlier this month, Pereira hinted in an interview with Globo Esporte that he is hopeful of securing a permanent move to Flamengo.
“I have a contract until June and I will always do my best for Flamengo. I’m focused and positive for whatever comes,” he said.
“I just want to thank the fans, the teammates, and everything they are doing for me and have done. It was really difficult, very difficult after the final, but it’s something that inside me I’ve already overcome.
"I’ve already put it back and I’m looking forward more calmly. I’m sure I have enough quality to reverse this situation.”
Pereira added: “I don’t pay much attention to these things, but everyone knows that I prioritised Flamengo. Everyone in the club knows this. It’s hard for me to talk about my own value, but a Manchester United player for 10 million euros… Should I be cheaper? I’m doing my best, but I can’t say if it’s too expensive or cheap.
“I’m calm and focused. I know there’s this indecision. I also have to talk about it with the people close to me, and on the pitch I’m calm. I know it can be resolved in a month, at the end before I leave, but I’m calm and always thinking about the next game.
“I came to Flamengo to show my football and I will show a lot more. Of course, the disappointment of not having won the titles remains, for sure, but I always tried to show my value on the pitch and the fans recognised it.
"I always told my friends and Flamengo that I always prioritised them, and that Flamengo is very important to me.”
It was clear that former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also a big fan of Pereira. Back in October, the Norwegian hinted at a potential return for the player.
He told TNT Sports: "Yes, we follow. Of course. [Pereira] is a great player and a fantastic person. I'm so happy for him and knowing he's enjoying this moment.
"For us, the logic was: Andreas, go and show how good you are. I couldn't give him enough playing time, and we know the quality he has. When they believe in him, he's a top-quality player, so I'm happy for him."
Solskjaer added: "At a certain point in a player's career, it's important to have enough playing time at the highest level.
"Last year Andreas was on loan and didn't play as much. Last season he played a lot of games with us, soon after we brought Bruno [Fernandes].
"I'm happy for Andreas now, and we'll see him again soon."
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Topics: Manchester United, Andreas Pereira, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League
Jack Kenmare