According to Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt, Liverpool were seriously considering bringing in midfielder Andre Trindade, during the summer transfer window.
Following the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, the Reds explored a deal for the 22-year-old. But Fluminense were hesitant to let Andre leave in the middle of the Brazilian League season, especially since they were eyeing Copa Libertadores success after making it to the semi-finals of the tournament.
There have been rumours that Jurgen Klopp’s team will renew their interest in Andre during the January transfer window. Bittencourt revealed in an interview with ESPN, through O Globo that Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan got in touch with Fluminense. Additionally, Flue has not ruled out selling the one-cap Brazil international in the upcoming months.
Mario Bittencourt said,
“There is an agreement between us, with the player and representative, that he would stay until the end of the year and they comply fully and with the utmost tranquillity.”
He continued saying,
“What they have done is the work as a representative of the athlete that is: all the polling that arrives they communicate to Fluminense.”
Bittencourt further added
“In the case of Liverpool, I go even further. Liverpool’s Chief Executive contacted me directly. And I replied to him, ‘My friend, I don’t sell players now and I don’t deliver now.’ If you want to buy now to take in January we can start talking, or if you want to wait until December and we talk in December.”
Liverpool might sign Andre in the January transfer window
Andre’s availability for sale in the new year has always looked inevitable.
Fluminense is doing well in the Brazilian Serie A and have advanced to the semi-final of the Copa Libertadores. They want to hang onto one of their greatest players and that makes sense. But it’s obvious that Andre is prepared for the next stage, now that he has fully earned his place in the Brazilian national team. It’s a good thing for Liverpool that Fluminense have already said in the open that they won’t obstruct Andre if he decides to leave.
This summer’s interaction also seems to have been cordial and pleasant from a Liverpool perspective.
Having already met with the club’s president and allegedly convincing Andre that his future is on Merseyside, Liverpool should have a significant advantage in January. The Brazilian reportedly has a release clause worth over £34 million [Netflu]. However, it has been suggested all summer that a winter transfer would be less expensive than a summer one.
That ought to be obvious as far as Liverpool are concerned. In the year when they expect to lose Thiago Alcantara, and Andre might be the perfect successor. This one has some serious talent and potential.
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