The manager of Flamengo has revealed his wish for Andreas Pereira to stay with the Brazilian club after his loan spell from Manchester United.
Pereira is one of many members of the squad Erik ten Hag is inheriting who faces an uncertain future. He has spent the past two seasons out on loan away from the club, most recently with Flamengo over the past 12 months.
While in Brazil, he made 49 appearances – only 26 fewer than his entire tally for Manchester United, who have owned him for more than a decade. However, there are doubts over whether the move will become permanent or not.
Reports have suggested that United are looking for a fee of around £8m to sell Pereira. That may be to Flamengo, or elsewhere. Alternatively, Ten Hag could reintegrate him back at Old Trafford.
For Flamengo manager Dorival Junior, though, the ideal solution would be for the 26-year-old to stick with his side.
In fact, Junior feels Pereira still has a margin for growth unlike many other players in Brazil.
“It’s just an opinion. I hope he stays,” Junior told reporters. “Players of this level, players with this potential, are few in Brazil.
“I have no doubt that this boy can still grow a lot, he can evolve a lot.
“How will it happen? I don’t know, but it would be really nice if we could hold onto this kid because he has a lot of qualities. He is a player that draws attention in any way.
“He has growth potential. Players of that level are scarce at the moment within this country.”
Flamengo stay may make sense for revived Andreas Pereira
Indeed, it was recently reported that while on a scouting mission in South America, Man Utd officials’ eyes were caught by their own player, Pereira.
Interestingly, he shares a former club with Ten Hag. Pereira was a youth player at PSV while the new United boss was on the coaching staff there.
There remains a chance they could finally work together. Yet if Flamengo can work out how to fund a deal, perhaps remaining in Brazil would be his best option.
Pereira is guaranteed continuity there, whereas at United he may become a victim of their desire to make midfield signings this summer.
