Saudi giants Al Hilal target Nottingham Forest coach Pereira | OneFootball

Pereira is wanted again in Saudi [Getty Images]

Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al Hilal have set their sights on securing the services of Portuguese manager Vítor Pereira this summer, according to reports in Portugal.

The former Porto boss has impressed in consecutive seasons in the English Premier League, performing well in his roles at Wolverhampton Wanderers and more recently Nottingham Forest having been appointed each time to steer the clubs to safety in their relegation battles.

Pereira’s ability to swiftly unite and organise multi-national squads has been praised by many observers in England, with the 57-year-old now regarded as one of the more underrated coaches in the country. Forest are believed to have already presented Pereira with a proposal to extend his contract, which initially ran for 18 months and expires next summer.

However, a potential complication has emerged in the form of interest from Al Hilal, who are believed to be exploring options to replace Simone Inzaghi after an unsuccessful Pro League campaign which saw them lose out on the title to Al Nassr, led by Jorge Jesus and Seleção stars João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to reliable Portuguese outlet Maisfutebol, Al Hilal are prepared to offer Pereira an “astronomical salary” to tempt him away from the City Ground.  With Rúben Neves in the ranks, Al Hilal are Saudi Arabia’s most successful club and are determined to re-establish themselves next term.

Pereira is used to travelling, having managed in Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Greece, Germany, China, Brazil and England since leaving Portugal. The Espinho native has twice worked in Saudi previously, first with Al –Ahli in 2013-14, before a stint with Al Shabab in 2014, which also saw him save a struggling side from relegation.