Fulham are doing all they can to sign Fluminense midfielder Andre in January, but Liverpool might have something to say about that.
Brazilian journalist Emmanuel Luiz was speaking to The Redmen TV YouTube channel about the Copa Libertadores winner.
Marco Silva’s side look desperate to add some further options in midfield in the upcoming transfer window.
The main man on their list appears to be Brazilian international Andre, although he’s on the radar of plenty of clubs.
After Joao Palhinha nearly left in the summer to join Bayern Munich, the club are likely worried about another approach.
Andre wouldn’t be a perfect replacement – he’s much more of a passer and dribbler than a destroyer like the Portuguese – but his performances have attracted interest from Fulham and Liverpool.
The Whites seem desperate to bring him in and are willing to meet his release clause to do so.
However, there could still be an issue as the player isn’t sold on a move to Craven Cottage right now.
Fulham target Andre wants Liverpool move
Speaking about the prospective transfer, Luiz said: “So I’m going to be loud and clear for you guys. We already talked about £40m being the release clause.
“Fulham and Liverpool were in the race, Andre really wanted Liverpool in the middle of the year, it remains really clear, Andre wants Liverpool, but the most important thing right now, Andre wants Liverpool, but Fulham, and I confirmed this, I spoke to some guys at the club and they said that Andre will play for the club that makes the best offer to Fluminense,
“He wants Liverpool, and Liverpool wants to pay like £30m, but what Fulham did, they said to Fluminense, he has a £40m release clause, what we want to do as Fulham is to pay the release clause and have some sort of add-on clause, Andre wants Liverpool, but what I think will happen is that if Liverpool come with £35m for him and a 20% clause, they will sell to Liverpool.”
Andre wanting to play for Liverpool over Fulham isn’t particularly surprising given the difference in reputation between the two sides.
Jurgen Klopp’s team are competing for a place in the Champions League while we simply want to avoid a relegation battle.
Andre would immediately improve the quality of Marco Silva’s first team and alongside Palhinha would be one of the best midfield combinations in the Premier League.
The club appear keen to use the money earned from selling Aleksandar Mitrovic to sign Andre, but bringing in a striker might make a lot more sense.
They’ve got their eyes on Santiago Gimenez which would be an ambitious move but potentially just as difficult to complete.