MX23RW : Thursday, January 2 11:21:38| >> :120:43168:43168:

Andreas Pereira opens door to Fulham departure as he reveals Roberto De Zerbi wish

'We will see in January' - Pereira makes honest admission over Fulham future
© Imago
Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira opens the door to a potential departure after revealing how close he was to leaving the club in the summer.

Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira has opened the door to a potential departure after he admitted that he spoke to Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi in the summer.

Pereira was heavily linked with a move away during the summer after he attracted significant attention with his impressive performances last season.

The Brazilian started 34 of his 37 Premier League appearances last term, contributing to Fulham's attacking efforts with three goals and seven assists.

Pereira emerged as a transfer target for French giants Marseille, who failed with a transfer bid in the summer transfer window.

Fulham's Andreas Pereira pictured on August 24, 2024© Imago

Pereira confirms Marseille, Forest interest

In an interview with PL Brasil, Pereira admitted that Marseille and Nottingham Forest were both close to signing him in the summer.

"From overseas [England], an offer from Marseille, we talked, and unfortunately it didn't work out," Pereira said.

"In the last few days [of the window] there was also one from Nottingham Forest. It was the clubs that came closest to signing me, but there was a lot of interest [from others]."

Chelsea also reportedly held talks with Fulham over a move for Pereira, while Monaco spoke to the player's representatives about a potential switch to the principality.

Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi pictured on August 10, 2024© Imago

Pereira expresses desire to play for De Zerbi

A summer departure failed to materialise, but Pereira has not ruled out the possibility of leaving the West London club in 2025.

Pereira admitted he would like to work with Marseille manager De Zerbi after he spoke to the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss during the summer transfer window.

"It would be really cool [to go to Marseille], given the way De Zerbi plays football," Pereira added. "I was looking at it positively, but we'll see now in January or at the end of the season if there will be a transfer or if I'll stay at Fulham."

Pereira's current Fulham contract runs until the summer of 2026, although the club have the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.

Fulham reportedly placed a £35m valuation on the Brazil international in the summer and it remains to be seen whether they will demand a similar asking price in the new year.

Pereira remains a regular fixture in Marco Silva's side, having started all 12 of Fulham's Premier League matches this season, helping the club pick up 18 points to leave them in ninth position in the standings.

The 28-year-old is expected to feature in the middle of the park when Fulham face Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's away clash.

ID:559336:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4720:
Written by
Ben Sully

Click here for more stories about Andreas Pereira

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Premier League on May 21, 2023
Read Next:
Premier League: Transfer ins and outs - Summer 2023
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!