Andreas Pereira has told the Brazilian press that he snubbed a ig money move to Saudi Arabia during the January transfer window because of his loyalty to Fulham.
The former Manchester United attacking midfielder, heavily tipped to be included in the Brazilian national squad named next week for the March friendlies against Brazil and Spain, credited Marco Silva and the Fulham faithful with helping him settle down in London after a number of loan spells. Pereira, who returns to Old Trafford with the Whites tomorrow, told Globo Esporte:
“Fulham gave me the platform to show my quality in the Premier League and to the world. From the start, my relationship with the team, the fans and, above all, the coach Marco Silva, helped me a lot. He believed in me, opened the door for me to return to England and allowed me to show everyone that I can play at the highest level and make a difference. It means a lot to me. It was also a confirmation for me.
We spoke clearly from the start and he [Silva] said he believed in my style of play and my qualities. That I had to prove it in the Premier League, consolidate myself and make a difference and show that I have the ability to play every game. He knows how to move players around, he gave the example of Richarlison. He’s a coach who knows that for a Brazilian it’s a dream to play for the national team, and that’s my biggest goal. He said that it can’t just be a dream, that I have to fight for it, and I agreed with him from the first conversation.
I’m playing in a more attacking position than I used to. I used to play as a second central midfielder, but here I’m a 9.5 behind the striker. I had to adapt for the first two or three months, but Marco Silva made the job very easy by telling me what to do in games.”
Pereira confirmed that he had been approached by Saudi Pro League side, Al-Etifaq, managed by former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, at the start of the transfer window but turned down their interest.
“I don’t think it’s the right time to make a move out of Europe. I have a dream of playing for the national team, and the chance of being called up is much greater playing in Europe, playing in the Premier League, which is one of the toughest leagues in the world. Even though it’s not a certainty, I’ve been playing football since I was a kid with the national team in mind. Whether you like it or not, what makes you happy is fighting for your dream. I’m living in a moment where I’m playing well here and I’m keeping that dream alive. I’m fighting for it.”
