Liverpool are poised to restart discussions with Brazilian club Fluminense ahead of the January transfer window, with Fabrizio Romano expressing Jurgen Klopp’s eagerness to complete a move for the €40 million-rated midfielder.
The Merseyside club spent the summer window overhauling their midfield, spending £145.2 million on four new players. And, while Alexis MacAllister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Waturu Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch will all provide their engine room a boost, it appears Klopp’s shopping spree is far from over.
Indeed, with six players leaving midfield this summer, Klopp is still two players short. And, with speculations emerging that Thiago Alcatantara could be the next to depart, maybe as soon as this week, it is no surprise that Liverpool is looking to add to its squad.
To that end, Liverpool’s interest in 22-year-old Fluminense star Andre is well documented. The Reds made an approach to recruit the former Brazil international over the summer, only to be advised that due to the Brazilian season still being in full flow, any deal was unfeasible at this time.
However, come the summer transfer season, Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt is on the verge of authorizing a January move for his player.
“The chief executive of Liverpool contacted me directly,” Bittencourt told Caua Tinoco. “And I told him, ‘My friend, I don’t sell a player now, and I don’t deliver now.'” We can start talking now if you want to buy now to take in January, or we can wait until December and talk in December.”
Fabrizio Romano believes Andre can yet join Liverpool
With the Reds still looking for midfield reinforcements, Romano insists their chase of Andre is far from over. And he expects Klopp and co. to make a January bid for the player.
“It’s not over; it’s still something we have to keep an eye on because Liverpool really like Andre,” Roman stated on his Here We Go podcast. “They had positive conversations with Fluminense; they have good relationships.”
“Fluminense demonstrated their strength in the Brazilian and South American markets by saying ‘no way the player is leaving,’ so credit to Fluminense.”
“It wasn’t easy, but I believe Liverpool will continue to monitor the player.” This is not a typical player. Andre is an exceptional player.”
Fluminense wanted to keep Andre over the summer due to their continuous participation in the Copa Libertadores, and the choice appears to have been validated with the Brazilian club already through to the semi-finals, where they will meet domestic rivals Internacional in the last four.
The player’s contract currently includes a €40 million (£34.4 million) departure clause, which means they will have no say in the matter if Liverpool activate the deal in January.
And because the clubs have solid connections, and Liverpool did not act on their interest in the summer, his probable move to Merseyside will be sanctioned by the Brazilian side.