Premier League high-flyers Fulham have made a second bid for Brazilian midfielder Pablo Maia and are also taking note of Sao Paulo team-mates Rodrigo Nestor, Luizao and Igor Gomes, according to UOL and Lance.
While Nottingham Forest appeared to adopt a ‘quantity over quality’ approach to recruitment, Fulham took a more conservative approach after sealing their return to the top-flight.
Only five teams invested less on new signings over the summer than Marco Silva’s Cottagers. That £55 million outlay looks very well spent, however; with Joao Palhinha, Bernd Leno, Andreas Pereira and a revitalised Willian shining during successive wins over Aston Villa and Leeds United.
Pereira and Willian arrived in West London following spells in Brazilian football. And, perhaps inspired by such success, Fulham plan to return to the South American market in the New Year. No fewer than four Sao Paulo players are on their radar.
Marco Silva’s Fulham like four Sao Paulo stars
Fulham have submitted a second bid for 20-year-old Maia; a tough-tackling, deep-lying central midfielder in the Harrison Reed mould. Their initial offer of £6.5 million was rejected by a Sao Paulo side holding out for £9 million.
According to UOL, Nestor, Luizao and Gomes are also under consideration.
Centre-back Luizao will be a free-agent in January. He continues to resist Sao Paulo’s attempts to tie him down to a new deal. Igor Gomes, an elegant, rangy box-to-box midfielder labelled the ‘new Kaka’ by some, is also entering the final few months of his deal.
Both Gomes and Maia have also been linked with, as you might have guessed, Nottingham Forest. West Ham are keeping tabs on Luizao.
22-year-old Rodrigo Nestor, meanwhile, is under contract until 2024. A more forward-thinking midfielder than Pablo Maia, Nestor has eight goals and 11 assists to his name this season. He’s thriving in a ‘number ten’ under Sao Paulo coach Rogerio Ceni; a position that Nestor enjoys.
“I’ve been prepared to play anywhere,” he explains. “I found myself (in the number ten role). I have freedom and I can use my qualities better.”
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