Porto have told Ricardo Pereira he will return to the club at the end of the season when his two-year loan deal with Nice expires, reports Portuguese newspaper A Bola, via Get French Football. Pereira joined Nice on a two-year loan deal in 2015 and has developed into one of the best full-backs in Ligue 1 during that time and now Porto want to blood him into their first-team next season.

Nice, who are gearing up for European football again next season, understandably wanted to keep the Portugal international beyond the end of the current campaign but will now have to plan for alternatives. The 23-year-old is a right-back by trade but can also play on the left if required. He has featured in every position down the right flank in a variety of formations and has managed to chip in with one goal and three assists in 20  league appearances this season. Not only is Pereira Nice’s highest rated player in Ligue 1 this season (7.42) but only Dalbert (75) has completed more tackles (Pereira - 64).