West Brom and Birmingham City could sign new EFL star Matheus Pereira for £3m

West Bromwich Albion ended their 2025/26 Championship campaign on a low note as they were beaten by relegated Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

The Baggies conceded 22% of their points (4/18) to the Owls in a 0-0 draw and 2-1 defeat this season, helping their opponents finish with zero points after being held to 18 points.

Defeat to a team that started the day on a poor note was not a good start to James Morrison's first game as head coach at The Hawthorns, after being introduced earlier in the week.

The Scotland boss led the club to a ten-game unbeaten run in the Championship to guide the team out of their slumber to find work, before losing to the Owls.

Now, the focus will be on Morrison's first transfer window as manager as the Baggies look to retool their squad for promotion next season.

What West Brom said about the summer transfer window

Speaking to BBC Radio West Midlands, West Brom director Mark Miles recently revealed that the new manager will be supported by the club in the summer window.

Miles said the Baggies “can support the recruitment of players so we can have a competitive season next year” when asked about the summer.

It remains to be seen exactly what kind of budget the board will provide for transfers, but the chief executive has told supporters that there will be work to be done to improve the squad.

Meanwhile, speaking after Saturday's loss, Morrison said: “The summer is really important. It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of organization, so I'll be focused on that and keep working.”

Now, Albion can hire a new manager in their version of former Baggies star Matheus Pereira by entering the market to sign the reported goal ahead of their Championship rivals.

West Brom could beat Birmingham to £3m signing

West Brom are reportedly one of the second-tier clubs interested in signing the former Albion academy player.

At the end of March, SportsBoom reported that the Baggies, Birmingham City, Sheffield United, and Blackburn Rovers were all looking at Barnsley striker Reyes Cleary ahead of their pursuit of his services in the summer window.

The report claims that the League One outfit valued the 22-year-old attacker for £3m, 12 months after signing him on a free transfer from West Brom's academy.

Cleary came through the youth ranks, scoring 57 goals in 68 U21 and U18 games combined, but was only given seven first-team appearances to prove his quality.

His lack of opportunities at the top level made him want to move to Barnsley last summer, and the youngster has been successful since his move to League One.

The English striker ended his first season with Barnsley with a remarkable return of five goals and 15 assists, suggesting the Baggies could sign Morrison as their own version of Matheus Pereira if the club can beat Birmingham and Sheffield United to his signature.

During his time at The Hawthorns, Matheus made a huge impact in the second division. He scored eight goals and provided 16 assists in his first season with the club in the 2019/20 campaign, showing his ability to score and create goals on a regular basis.

Now, Cleary could follow in his footsteps because, like Matheus, the 22-year-old left-winger is an incredibly talented striker who can contribute goals on par with the Brazilian, who helped the Baggies to promotion six years ago.

West Brom made a huge mistake when they allowed the academy graduate to join Barnsley last summer, as they now look to bring him back, but they could avenge that mistake by beating Birmingham to his signature in a £3m deal.

If the Baggies are determined to back their new manager in next summer's transfer window, Cleary is one of the first players to be brought through the door to strengthen the squad.