Why Chelsea FINALLY Turned A Corner.
Fulham are now willing to pay above the asking price for Fluminense midfielder Andre this summer.
A report from Football Transfers has shared more details about the 22-year-old Brazilian.
Marco Silva’s side have still only technically made one signing this summer.
Willian’s contract expired and despite interest from elsewhere has decided to extend his stay at Craven Cottage.
With less than three weeks left until the Premier League begins, the club needs to get a move on.
Their desire to improve the squad has been made rather more urgent after Sunday’s friendly win against Brentford.
Silva will be pleased with their 3-2 win, but losing Joao Palhinha to a shoulder injury is a devastating blow.
Fulham wanted to sign Andre before the Portuguese’s injury, but may now pay above his asking price to accelerate the deal.
Fluminense understandably want to keep one of their star players for the rest of the Brazilian season.
Silva will be desperate for Tony Khan to sign the 22-year-old as quickly as possible now.
Fulham could pay above asking price for Andre
The report from Football Transfers suggests Fluminense will listen to offers for Andre, but won’t let him leave until December.
Andre has been considered a potential companion for Palhinha and Harrison Reed in midfield, with the Portuguese less likely to leave this summer now due to his injury.
They go on to say that Fulham ‘could well make an offer that extends Fluminense’s asking price to see a move realized.’
Andre is technically a defensive midfielder but defending isn’t at the forefront of his thinking on the pitch.
Instead, he’s an exceptional deep-lying playmaker, pulling the strings from in front of the defence.
He could function in a double pivot with Palhinha, with the Portuguese doing the defensive work and Andre setting off Fulham’s attacks.
It’s hard to see where Reed fits into this system, as the trio might be too defensive to support a front three.
Fulham going beyond Fluminense’s asking price for Andre might be possible once Aleksandar Mitrovic leaves.
The funds offered by Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal will likely fund much of Fulham’s transfer activity this summer, including his immediate replacement.
