Fulham ready to bring Javier Pereira in to replace Saudi-bound Marco Silva
Fulham are planning to bring Javier Pereira back to Craven Cottage to replace manager Marco Silva, who is ready to accept a deal to move to the Saudi Pro League, understands.
Silva has previously turned down an approach from Saudi earlier this summer but PIF-owned Al Ahli have returned having upped their offer to a two-year deal worth £40m.
Al Ahli have already enjoyed a busy and successful summer with the marquee signings of Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy, and they are set to follow those deals up with the capture of Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City.
Silva is currently en route to America as Fulham prepare to get their pre-season underway, but it's looking increasingly likely that he won't be in charge of any of their games. The former Watford, Hull and Everton boss has just a year left on his current deal and has thus far rejected the Cottagers' offers to extend his stay.
Fulham, for their part, have been anticipating a renewed bid from Saudi and the club's hierarchy have been working on who they could bring in to replace Silva. understands the man at the top of their list is Javi Pereira.
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The 57-year-old is currently in charge of Chinese outfit Shanghai Port — who are six points clear at the top of the table — but he is set to be handed the chance to return to Fulham, where he previously spent four years across two separate spells.
Pereira was assistant to Slavisa Jokanovic for three seasons up to 2018 and then returned in 2020 as assistant director of football operations — working closely with current Fulham chief Tony Khan — before leaving to pursue a career as a manager.
Fulham are now negotiating the terms of Silva's likely departure to Al Ahli, while working on a deal for Pereira to return.
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