Pereira: Valencia Want To Buy Me

Andreas Pereira has confirmed Valencia have informed his agent they want to buy him this summer but says his preference is to return to Manchester United next season.

Pereira is coming to the end of a season-long loan with Valencia, where he has made 28 appearances this season, scoring once and adding four assists.

Jose Mourinho expressed disappointment at Pereira's decision to join Valencia in September rather than staying and fighting for his place at Old Trafford but that is exactly what the 22-year-old hopes to do next season.

"Valencia approached my agent and said they want to buy me which is flattering, but it wasn't like it was reported in the media," Pereira told the South China Morning Post.

"People said I'd demanded talks with Jose Mourinho when I've demanded nothing. The Valencia coach speaks with me a lot and we have a good understanding, but as far as I'm concerned I'm still a Manchester United player, with a contract at Old Trafford until 2020 and an ambition to make it at United. I've never sought to leave United."

Pereira has been part of a successful Valencia side that look on course to secure a top-four finish in La Liga and Champions League qualification for next season.

It is the second successive season Belgium-born Pereira, who joined United as a 16-year-old, has been on loan in La Liga, after scoring five times in 35 league games for Granada last season.

And he is pleased with the development that playing regular football is allowing him to make.

"I'm a better player now," Pereira explained. "I'm used to playing for a high-level team that expects to win, to be competing at this level. I'm mentally tougher too."

Pereira is playing alongside plenty of talented players at the Mestalla Stadium - Geoffrey Kondogbia, Goncalo Guedes and Carlos Soler are among the star names - and he says he enjoys the philosophy being implemented by head coach Marcelino

"We play very good football with an explosive counter-attack," Pereira said. "The manager demands this and pays incredible attention to detail. If something goes wrong then he tells you.

"I lost the ball in one game and was thinking 'Damn! I've lost the ball,' but the manager doesn't want me to think, he wants me to press immediately, to focus without hesitation."

Credit: Skysports.com