Farewell Brazil: Liverpool could finally sign €40M midfielder uncontested

Fulham's pursuit of Brazilian midfielder Andre Trindade is reportedly over which could open the door for Liverpool to sign him this month after pursuing him for the first half of the 2023/24 season.

Despite showing strong interest, the Reds appeared to walk away from a deal with Fluminense after having bids rejected in the summer due to the Brazilian club's ongoing season.

It was a decision that paid off as they won the Copa Libertadores for the first time before reaching the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Andre was instrumental with his tackling, pass prevention and brave dribbling paving the way for Fluminense to beat Sao Paulo in the final of the Copa Libertadores.

Fulham drop out of race to sign Andre 

Despite Fulham appearing to have the strongest chance of signing the 22-year-old in the January transfer window, journalist Jacque Talbot reports that "Fulham's pursuit of Andre Trindade is over."

He adds that it may mean that Joao Palhinha will now not leave the club after a failed summer move to Bayern Munich meant he has remained in the Premier League this season.

Also a target of Liverpool's, the Portuguese midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield although his age and price tag may be obstacles the Merseysiders are unwilling to clear.

Andre is free to leave Fluminense this month after reaching a "verbal agreement" with the club. They will not stand in his way if offers are made that match their valuation.

Liverpool well-placed to sign Andre uncontested

Fluminense want up to €40 million (£35M) to sell in the January transfer window.

Having seemingly bid farewell to Brazil and Fluminense ahead of a European adventure, Liverpool are well-placed to sign the diminutive midfielder uncontested.

Liverpool are without a defensive midfielder at the moment especially with Wataru Endo representing Japan at the Asian Cup this month.

Jurgen Klopp could be without the 30-year-old until 13th February. The former Stuttgart will be 31 in Feb and so Liverpool are still looking for a new no.6 following Fabinho's move to Al-Ittihad in the summer.

Signing Andre would plug an important hole in the side although the club may choose to delay their search until the summer when more experienced targets will be more available.

Clubs are loathe to let key players go mid-season and with top defensive midfielders hard to come by, the market for one in January is pretty scant.