Fulham have reignited their interest in Fluminense midfielder Andre and remain hopeful of signing the Brazilian international by the end of the month, according to reports this morning.
The 22 year-old midfielder, who starred as his side won the Copa Liberatores and reached the final of the Club World Cup last year, held ‘positive discussions’ with the Premier League side in the past few days. Fluminense were seeking £30m for their star player following the end of the Brazilian domestic season and, although Fulham have yet to make a formal offer, they have previously held prolonged talks with Fluminese. Chief executive Alistair Mackintosh met the Brazilian club’s directors in person, but it is believed the Whites’ preferred approach was a structured deal with an initial fee of around £20m.
Andre, who has won four senior caps for his country, is widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in south America and had been promised a move in January by his club’s president after making 170 appearances for Fluminense, whom he joined aged twelve, since breaking into the first-team four years ago. He made his international debut in a 4-2 friendly defeat by Senegal last June.
Reports that the talented midfielder was perceived solely as a replacement for Joao Palhinha are wide of the mark. Marco Silva is understood to consider Andre as the perfect partner for the Portuguese international, who looks set to stay at Craven Cottage after Bayern Munich rowed back from a planned January move, and Fulham are confident that they have agreed personal terms with Andre’s representatives.
If this transfer actually happens, it will be a real statement of intent and perhaps allow Palhinha to be more creative. Central defence and attack also need strengthening to give us a more complete squad, but Andre would be a hell of a start. COYW
I’ll believe it when it actually happens we were told months ago that the deal was as good as done and then it was off again, I would love it if it does happen, but when are we going to bring in a Mitro replacement and also a centre back or are we once again waiting for the final day of the transfer window and ending up signing nobody.
We have seen what is happening to other clubs with financial fair play, and no matter how many times we are told the club is restricted by it people like John continue to moan. The fact is the club generates relatively little in the way of income compared and largely relies on money from the TV deal. This is only our 2nd year back up in the prem, so we are only just beginning to generate more money, therefore the club has to act accordingly. If we fell foul of FFP then imagine the uproar we’d see…. Peter Rutzler on the athletic wrote a good piece on this very topic, I suggest more people give it a read