Liverpool’s midfield still feels somewhat lacking despite Jurgen Klopp’s side making three acquisitions this summer, and with the summer transfer window in its penultimate week, negotiations could intensify shortly.
What’s the latest on Andre to Liverpool?
According to Brazilian outlet Globo GE, the Reds have tabled a €30m (£25m) offer for Fluminense midfielder Andre this summer, though have had the approach rejected with the Brazilian Serie A side in the quarter-finals of the Conmebol Libertadores.
It is also understood that the 22-year-old holds a €40m (£34m) release clause, per reports in Brazil as relayed by Sport Witness, in his Fluminense contract, but the movement of this deal over the past weeks suggests there is a reluctance to meet the valuation on the Anfield side.
Liverpool have signed Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo this summer, but with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho’s sales to Saudi Arabia preceded by the contractual expiries of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, making another signing might be prudent.
How good is Andre?
The tough-tackling, “top-class roaming playmaker” – as hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has been in fine fettle in his homeland for Fluminense, having now made 148 appearances for his only outfit to date.
While there is promise in Liverpool’s team following a subpar campaign last term, the need for a first-rate holding midfielder has been paramount, and the failure to sign both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who both moved to Chelsea despite Liverpool reaching an agreement on price, stung the Merseyside outfit.
If Liverpool manage to negotiate a deal for Andre for about half the £58m Chelsea have paid to Southampton for Lavia, it could prove to be a masterstroke from Klopp and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke with the one-cap Brazil star, especially after the astute £16m transfer of the industrious Endo from Stuttgart.
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