Fulham have reportedly expressed an interest in signing 21-year-old Fluminense enforcer Andre in the final days of the January transfer window, but a summer move looks more likely.
Fulham are in the market to bolster their midfield ranks. And an Evening Standard report has suggested that the Cottagers are hot on the heels of Torino midfielder Sasa Lukic. But they are also intrigued by the prospect of acquiring highly-rated Brazilian destroyer André from Fluminense.
The Cottagers are currently enjoying a remarkable first year back in the Premier League, as they have accumulated 31 points from 21 games to sit in seventh position in the standings.
As things stand, they will be eligible to play European football next summer, which is a crazy idea from Fulham fans’ perspective, who have watched their team bounce back and forth between the top tier and the Championship, becoming a notorious banter “yo-yo” club in years gone by.
Harrison Reed and Joao Palhinha have formed an effective relationship in the double pivot behind attacking midfielder Andreas Pereira, with the latter two only moving to West London in the summer. However, experienced top-flight alternatives to the trio are in short supply, with Nathaniel Chalobah and Tom Cairney each making only one start.
Having made 11 first-team additions in the previous transfer window, Marco Silva has yet to sign a player since the turn of the year. As such, they appear to be closing in on their first winter signing in the form of Torino midfielder Sasa Lukic, having tabled an offer worth €8 million plus €2 million in bonuses for Aleksandar Mitrovic’s compatriot.
Torino have now sealed the deal for Verona midfielder Ivan Ilic. And this will allow Lukic to fly to west London in the coming hours. However, it appears Silva is keen on welcoming even further midfield reinforcements, with Fluminense’s Andre on their radar.
Primarily a holding midfielder, the 21-year-old has played plenty of senior football for his age and may be ready for the new chapter in Europe, having already racked up over 100 senior appearances for the Rio de Janeiro outfit.
He is at ease in a deep-lying central midfield role as a tireless midfield workhorse. But Andre is more than your typical ball-winner. The youngster likes to demand the ball and dictate the play with those slick, rangy passes or mazy runs.
Fulham already have a strong contingent of Brazilian stars like Andreas Pereira and Willian, so the move may well appeal to Andre. His commanding displays in the middle of the park have garnered interest from the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona, and Ajax over the last 12 months. So this could be a bit of a coup for Fulham.
That said, it is highly unlikely the Cottagers will be able to secure a late-winter swoop for Andre. Fluminense have no intention of selling their prized asset this month, as reaffirmed recently by president Mario Bittencourt. This is the kind of deal you can expect Fulham to follow up again at the end of the campaign. And they are currently laying the early foundations.
