Fluminense have no intention of selling Andre Trindade to Liverpool or any other club this summer.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for Andre over recent days. With latest reports putting his valuation at around £34m, the Brazilian seems like he could be a good option for Jurgen Klopp.
But all links have been caveated with the point that Andre’s current team do not wish to let him go right now. And weighing in on the rumours for his Substack Daily Breifing, journalist Fabrizio Romano says that this is absolutely correct.
“Another midfielder being linked with Liverpool is 22-year-old Brazilian talent Andre,” Romano begins. “But my understanding is that it’s nothing concrete.
“I’m told in a very clear way that Fluminense want to keep Andre at least until the January transfer window. So it’s something more than difficult for Liverpool or any club.”
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Fluminense stand firm on Andre
Fluminense are of course going to fight tooth and nail to keep Andre. They’re right in the middle of their season and are fighting for a top-four spot in Serie A.
The 22-year-old is one of their key men and it would undermine their campaign to let him go now. This will obviously complicate things for Liverpool in trying to bring him to Anfield.
Nevertheless, every player has his price. Liverpool themselves have lost important figures in mid-season over the years. If the price is right – as it was for Philippe Coutinho and Fernando Torres – then anything can happen.
So far, valuations of Andre have put him as being cheaper than another Reds target – Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.
However, with Fluminense unwilling to give Liverpool an easy ride, maybe it would end up taking something closer to the £40m+ the Reds are willing to commit on Lavia.
At that point, perhaps a move for Andre no longer makes sense. He looks like a fine midfielder who could maybe one day step in to replace Thiago Alcantara. But he would need to adapt to life in England and to a big jump in intensity and, with respect, quality.
Despite those things, it looks likely that Liverpool would have to pay a premium to get the Brazil international to Merseyside. If they think he’s worth it, the Reds may push on regardless. But maybe it’s more likely that this now gets revisited in the New Year.