Fluminense are open to discussing a move for 22-year-old Liverpool target Andre, as the club president will let him leave then.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Fluminense will let Andre leave in January and are open to discussing it with Liverpool. The Merseysiders reportedly failed with bids for the 22-year-old in the summer, as the Brazilian club wants to keep him until December.
It’s not the first instance that Brazilian clubs have denied one of their important players a summer move to one of the European giants. Last season, many Premier League clubs failed to move for top talents from the continent and have found it easy to do so in January.
That’s because the Brazilian season ends around that time unless the teams are seriously involved in the Copa Libertadores. In which case, even a January move becomes difficult from both the club’s and the player’s perspective.
Liverpool found it the hard way when they enquired and made approaches for 22-year-old Andre. Fluminense did not hesitate to reject their offer. Many reports pointed out that the Brazilian side were seemingly uninterested in a deal.
Fluminense president Bittencourt: "Liverpool contacted me directly for André. I told their director: my friend, I don't sell André now. If you want to buy now to bring him in January, we can start talking" 🔴🇧🇷 #LFC
"Or if you want to wait until December, we can do it". pic.twitter.com/NX9GRGHyNh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 7, 2023
Another reported issue was Andre’s €40 million release clause, which may have been the only way to bring the midfielder during the summer. With Liverpool only offering substantially less money, Fluminense could reject their approaches.
Liverpool will likely return in January for the midfielder, having yet to bring a top-draw defensive midfielder to their ranks. They did manage to sign Wataru Endo. The Japanese international is more of a depth option than a signing that would enhance their side for years.
Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt says he’s open to discussing a January move with Liverpool. He said, “Liverpool contacted me directly for André. I told their director: my friend, I don’t sell André now. If you want to buy now to bring him in January, we can start talking”. “Or if you want to wait until December, we can do it”.
Liverpool will return to Fluminense to figure out a move for the 22-year-old. They did manage to sign Ryan Gravenberch on deadline day, but the Brazilian might have been their primary target for the midfield position. The Dutchman will certainly enhance their options for the season.