Matheus Pereira’s move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal was a shock, says West Brom journalist Luke Hatfield.

Last season, Pereira really shone in the Premier League. In 33 appearances, the Brazilian attacker managed to come up with 17 goal contributions in a side that went on to get relegated.

It sparked plenty of summer interest, particularly from Premier League clubs, with the Daily Express claiming at one point that West Ham, Leicester City and RB Leipzig all wanted to sign the player.

In the end, though, the King Fahd International Stadium turned out to be Pereira’s destination in a development that left Hatfield surprised.

“It was surprising,” the Express & Star journalist told FFC. “I think the interest wasn’t, but the likelihood of an actual deal going through was. It was a shock.

“I think what probably pushed it through was the player’s statement. He came out after comments from Valerien Ismael saying he wasn’t committed and then he issued a statement which was a very strange one saying that he was committed to the club but still wanted to leave.”

Indeed, it is probably fair to say things did not exactly end on a good note. Still, West Brom fans will surely be grateful to Pereira for his contribution.

He, of course, helped the Baggies win promotion to the Premier League back in the 2019/20 season and did everything in his power to keep them there.