Liverpool have reportedly decided not to pursue a move for highly-rated Fluminense midfielder Andre, despite him being linked with them numerous times of late.
The 22-year-old has had something of a breakthrough year, winning the Copa Libertadores with his current club, before losing to Manchester City in the Club World Cup final on Friday evening.
It looks as though Andre’s time at Fluminense has reached its conclusion, however, with a move to the Premier League appearing to be highly likely in January.
Liverpool arguably emerged as front-runners to snap up the Brazilian a few months ago, but as time has passed, a move to Fulham has started to look more likely.
Now, it looks as though Andre is almost certain to move to Craven Cottage, with a new report from Football Insider claiming the Reds have walked away from a deal:
“Liverpool are set to end their interest in Fluminense midfielder Andre as he closes in on a move to Fulham, sources have told Football Insider. The Merseysiders, alongside Arsenal and Tottenham, held a strong interest in the 22-year-old Copa Libertadores winner.
“The Reds wanted to make the defensive midfielder part of their midfield rebuild – which saw the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch arrive at Anfield. But Fulham have now stolen a march on their Premier League rivals and look the firm favourites to land Andre when the January transfer window opens.”
Our thoughts on Liverpool not signing Andre…
There will be some Liverpool fans who are disappointed by this outcome, considering Andre is a top-level defensive midfielder – one who isn’t necessarily an out-and-out No.6, but someone who is more natural in the role than Alexis Mac Allister.
His arrival could have allowed the Argentine to push further up the pitch, but it feels increasingly as though Jurgen Klopp is willing to use his new signing in a more defensive manner.
Having already seen five midfielders leave and four come in this year, another change in the middle of the park could arguably be seen as too much by Klopp, too, who could now be happy with his current options until the end of the season.
Andre could be an excellent signing by Fulham, though, and it will be interesting to see if Liverpool potentially revisit their interest in him in the future.
