Hearts save five-figure sum as Manchester United waive part of Joel Pereira's loan fee

Old Trafford club make gesture after football was suspended

Joel Pereira's loan deal at Hearts ends next month.

Hearts will save a five-figure sum next month after Manchester United chose to waive part of goalkeeper Joel Pereira’s loan fee.

Pereira’s season-long stay in Edinburgh officially ends on June 11, but United will not claim the latter portion of the staggered payment due from Tynecastle Park.

Officials at Old Trafford feel it would be unfair to demand the full amount since part of the Portuguese’s time in Scotland was spent during football’s shutdown.

That will save Hearts more than £10,000 as they try to mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus crisis.

Pereira, 23, moved north on loan last August in a deal agreed by former Hearts manager Craig Levein. He made 25 appearances this season before falling out of favour under Levein’s replacement, Daniel Stendel.

Pereira’s form was criticised by the Tynecastle support, his final outing coming back on February 12 in a 5-0 thumping against Celtic in Glasgow.

In total, United have chosen to forego more than £100,000 in loan fees having made similar gestures to Bolton Wanderers and Burton Albion.

Edinburgh-born Ethan Hamilton spent last season at Bolton, with goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara at Burton. Both clubs have been informed they do not need to pay the remainder of the respective loan costs.

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