Brazilian midfielder Andre Trindade is on the verge of an ideal conclusion to his Fluminense career, as he remains a prime target for Liverpool in the upcoming January transfer window.
Liverpool pursued the 22-year-old defensive midfielder in the summer, but Fluminense rejected the move, believing that their squad had a genuine chance of winning the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League, this season.
Andre Trindade is a prime target for Liverpool in the January transfer window
Trindade’s dream of lifting the Copa Libertadores came closer to reality as he played a crucial role in Fluminense’s 2-1 victory over Brazilian rivals Internacional in the semi-final second leg. Two late goals in the final nine minutes secured a 4-3 aggregate win, advancing them to the final for the first time since 2008.
Fluminense has never won the Copa Libertadores, and their decision to keep their squad intact has been justified with their historic run. They will now face either Brazilian rivals Palmeiras or Argentina’s Boca Juniors in the final at the iconic Maracana stadium on November 4.
Fluminense scored twice in the final nine minutes to reach the Copa Libertadores final
Liverpool was informed unequivocally during the summer that they could not sign Andre before the Copa Libertadores campaign ended. Fluminense‘s president, Mario Bittencourt, conveyed this message, suggesting that discussions could take place in January or December if Liverpool was willing to wait.
While Liverpool is widely expected to pursue Andre again in the January transfer window, the Fluminense youth product will be allowed to leave his boyhood club regardless.
Bittencourt stated, “There is an agreement between us, with the player and agent, that he would stay until the end of the year. They [player and agent] have complied fully and with the utmost peace of mind. Every interest that comes in, they communicate with Fluminense.”
Liverpool had signed Wataru Endo in August and utilized Alexis Mac Allister in the deepest-lying midfield role this season. However, Andre is viewed as a talented option for the position, a pure No.6, and could be a valuable addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
