Liverpool may be targeting Andre Trindade as a pre-emptive replacement for Thiago Alcantara.
The Reds have seemingly installed Andre alongside Romeo Lavia as their primary targets for the remainder of the summer. Both would add something a little different to Liverpool, but the inference so far is that only one will be signed.
Speaking on his YouTube channel today though, journalist David Lynch suggested that the Reds may actually have a different plan.
“My understanding from the Liverpool side of things is that Andre’s been suggested as an alternative to Lavia, not the two players being signed,” says the journalist. “It’s going to be one or the other they’re saying. [But] I’ve got a bit of cynicism around this one.
“On Andre I think it’s worth mentioning that a lot of people working stats are saying that he profiles very similar to Thiago. You’re going to have an issue with Thiago in terms of his contract’s going to be up in 12 months time. This is his last season at Liverpool, there’s no talks around a renewal going on there.
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“That’s something that Liverpool are going to have to prepare for eventually.
“If they’re in talks with Fluminense here and they like the look of the deal that’s being presented to them for the January window and they can get Lavia in alongside that and get ahead of the idea that Thiago is going to leave eventually, then maybe this is something that we see Liverpool can do both deals at once”
Liverpool planning Thiago succession
Ask any Liverpool fan, and they’ll tell you they need to sign both of these players, not one or the other.
With a potential injury to Alexis Mac Allister now hanging over them, it’s even more crucial that the Reds get as much business done as possible.
It’s also a very good point from Lynch regarding Thiago. The Spaniard looks set to stick around this season, but there’s virtually no chance he’ll be here for the next one.
As a result, Liverpool could do with getting his replacement through the door ahead of time.
It’s been reported that Fluminense aren’t keen on letting Andre go until their season finishes in December. With that in mind, it’s certainly possible that Liverpool could look to tie up a deal for January.
In that case, they’d have both Andre and Thiago at the club for a period of time, before the Brazilian steadily takes over.
If they can get Lavia through the door immediately as well, it most supporters would be happy with that. Then again, an injury to Mac Allister may just change everything.