Leicester defender Ricardo Pereira could be set to leave the King Power Stadium in the summer as Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing the Portuguese.
The Portugal international joined the Foxes from Porto in 2018 and has played 21 times this season. In total, Pereira has featured 58 times for the Foxes so far and has been among Brendan Rodgers’ biggest players since joining the Premier League side.
The 26-year-old current contract at Leicester runs until the summer of 2023 and has been outstanding this season and has produced some quality defending for the club which has contributed to Leicester currently second in the Premier League.
And according to Le 10 Sport, the defender has caught the interest of United and PSG, but Leicester won’t sell him in the January transfer window but appear to be very open to doing business in the summer.
The Red Devils signed Diogo Dalo from Porto last season but has been hampered with injuries for the past months. Then United then signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka for £50million from Crystal Palace last summer but are reportedly still on the lookout for another right-back.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side is reportedly attracted to Pereira’s versatility, as he can also play in midfield, which reminds them of former captain Antonio Valencia. United will be determined to improve their squad in January so as to solve the inconsistency the team has faced this season.
Also, PSG are very keen on the right-back as they see him as a long-term replacement for Thomas Meunier, who will be out of contract at the end of the season. The Portugal international didn’t rule out a potential move to Paris in the future but is currently completely focused on Leicester’s bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Pereria played in France on loan at Nice from Porto for two years and was full of praise for the Parisians as he described them as the country’s biggest club. Pereira said recently: “A future transfer to PSG? You never know what can happen in the future. It’s a big club.
“In addition, I played in France. I know the club and the championship. It is the largest club in France.
“They play in the Champions League and [challenge for] the title in all competitions.
“But for the moment, there is nothing. I have to keep performing before I think about it.”
The Portuguese defender is very pleased to be playing under Rodgers as he described his work at the King Power Stadium as a “pleasant surprise”.
Pereira said recently: “It’s been a pleasant surprise. His speech, his way of working, his technical team. He’s been showing a lot of quality.
“He surprised me positively. He wants to play, have the ball, press opponents. As we move forward, things have improved. We are better as a team.
He’s always in touch with us. He gives us feedback, helps us with the things we need to improve, and gives us confidence in what we are already good at.”
