Hailed by fans as the best player in the Championship, the Brazilian joined the Baggies on loan from Sporting Lisbon back in August.

After initially paying a £725,000 loan fee, the deal that took Pereira to The Hawthorns gave Albion the right to purchase him at any time for £8.25million.

Pereira’s sensational displays ensured the Baggies were always going to turn his loan move into a permanent transfer – with personal terms having already been agreed with the 23-year-old.

But in the original loan agreement, Lisbon insisted on a clause where Albion have to buy the player once he has made 30 Championship appearances of 45 minutes or more.

Pereira has so far featured in 25 league games this season.

And if, as expected, he plays in the next five, he will officially become a Baggies player after the trip to Reading on February 12.

Meanwhile, the Express & Star understands Albion have missed out on signing midfielder Conor Gallagher on loan from Chelsea.

The 19-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell at Charlton in the first half of the campaign – and caught the eye when the Addicks visited The Hawthorns back in October.

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Gallagher, who last year was crowned Chelsea’s Academy Player of the Year, was a target for the Baggies this month.

But the deal hit a snag with Chelsea wanting assurances he would start a set amount of games.

With Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers established in midfield, that wasn’t something Albion were willing to agree to.

Gallagher is now expected to join Swansea on loan.