Liverpool earned their first win of the season on Saturday with a hard-fought 3-1 home victory over Bournemouth. Alexis Mac Allister started as the deep-lying midfielder until he was controversially sent off by referee Thomas Bramall. New signing Wataru Endō made his debut and shored things up for the Reds.
With just over a week to go before the transfer window closes, anticipation is building as to who will be next through the door. The Athletic’s James Pearce reported that the club are not set to buy another defensive midfielder following the arrival of Endō. However, multiple sources have claimed that a deal for Fluminense midfielder André could be agreed soon, with the player reportedly keen on a move either now or in January.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we spoke to experienced LFC journalist Neil Jones for the latest on André.
LIVERPOOL DISCOVER GRAVENBERCH PRICE & CLOSE IN ON JANUARY ANDRE MOVE | LFC Transfer News Update
Neil said: “The word from Fluminense was, ‘No, we’re not selling not this summer, try again in January.’
“Liverpool have shown this summer – apart from Caicedo – they’re going to try and get value. They’re not going to say, ‘OK, well his release clause is this, we want to offer 25, we’ll just offer £10 million more.
“Liverpool probably think – £35 million to get player a straight from Brazil, who’s played once for Brazil. He’s never played outside of his home country – that’s a lot of money.
“You’d have to be 100% convinced that he’s the man. I’m not sure Liverpool are yet there with that. It might be one that they look to get, like you say, for January.
“I don’t know if Liverpool are as desperate for him right now as they were three weeks ago or two weeks ago, before Endō signed.
“If there’s a deal to be done at a price that they would like to pay – around £20/25 million would be the starting pitch, potentially. It looks like Fluminense are pretty keen to keep him.
“What about if your centre-backs start dropping like flies in October and November and you think, ‘We’ve committed £30 million to a player to play in midfield’ – we really need to sign a centre-back in January now, or a forward, or left-back?
“If you ask me honestly, I’d say probably there’s a chance Liverpool sign him. I think it probably would be likelier in January than it is now, but I wouldn’t say there’s any guarantee that they’re definitely going to go and sign him.
“I’d be interested though. I would be interested to see it in terms of a player like him because he’s the sort of player Liverpool haven’t really signed before, certainly not recently.”
Liverpool Preparing For January Andre Transfer!
Redmen Reacts
The pursuit of André – who was described as a ‘serious talent’ by Antonio Mango – feels like a Liverpool signing in many respects, apart from the fact the player is based in South America. His age, fee and attributes are reminiscent of the deal for Fabinho in 2018. He could develop into a superb defensive midfielder and become a mainstay in the Brazil team if he reaches his full potential at Anfield – a destination we have been told the international would like to move to.
It does seem unlikely that the 22-year-old will arrive in this transfer window now that the club have brought in Wataru Endō. The Japan captain is a very experienced operator and should be able to step in when needed. With Stefan Bajčetić close to a return, the club may consider slapping down large wads of cash to try to force a deal for André an inefficient use of funds. The Brazilian seems to have the right attributes to fit into an energetic Jürgen Klopp midfield, so it would not be a surprise to see him arrive in January, especially if he has a release clause.
