Chelsea line up move for Andreas Pereira as Mason Mount replacement

Chelsea are reportedly considering a shock move for Fulham star Andreas Pereira as a shock replacement for Mason Mount. The Brazilian only made the move to west London over the summer after actively avoiding Erik ten Hag while at Manchester United to ensure he did not change his mind about leaving Old Trafford.

Mount has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge with his contract expiring in 2024. The England international has been most strongly connected to Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp looks to renovate his midfield but United and Manchester City are also said to be in the running.

Chelsea would be reluctant to lose Mount, who has been a key player in recent years, but may have to act to avoid losing him for nothing next summer. Now, it appears the club are already considering how to replace him with ESPN reporting that Pereira is under consideration by Stamford Bridge.

The attacking midfielder has impressed since joining Fulham over the summer quickly establishing himself as an integral part of Marco Silva’s side. The Cottagers have become a solid top-half side in their first season back in the Premier League, contributing three goals and six assists in all competitions.

Pereira spent eight years on the books at Old Trafford making 75 appearances in all competitions since making his debut in 2014. However, he failed to ever really become a first-team regular for the Red spending four separate seasons on loan at Granada, Valencia, Lazio and Flamengo.

Following his spell at the Brazilian club, Pereira had made up his mind to leave United in search of a new challenge. He actively avoided Ten Hag over the summer to ensure he would stay true to his stated aim.

“I didn’t speak with Ten Hag,” Pereira told ESPN last week ahead of his return to Old Trafford. “I know him because I worked with him at PSV but I was determined in my head and maybe if I spoke with the manager again I would stay. In my head I was thinking ‘I need to go, I need to feel confident and play’ and that’s what I did.

“At United I had a lot of memories; good memories, bad memories. It’s been 10 years at the club. I arrived when I was 16 so, you know, a young boy. It was an amazing ride but I got to the stage where I thought maybe it was best not to stay.

“I wanted to feel more loved and I wanted to play every game. What Fulham offered me and what [manager] Marco [Silva] offered me, it was the perfect opportunity.”