Fluminense starlet Andre Trindade admits that he has an offer to leave the Brazilian outfit but Premier League high-flyers Fulham will wait until the later in 2023 to secure a potential £18 million transfer, as reported by Globo Esporte.
With Liverpool, Barcelona and perennial talent-spotters Ajax among those who have shown an interest in Andre over the last 12 months or so, this could be a coup in line with the deal that saw Portugal international Joao Palhinha head to Craven Cottage last summer.
According to Globo Esporte, having spoken to sources close to the player, Fulham have indeed submitted an £18 million bid for 21-year-old Andre.
The coveted midfielder will not be going anywhere, however, before next week’s deadline. Fluminense have no intention of selling this month. Furthermore, Financial Fair Play restrictions will prevent Fulham from splashing out a near-£20 million fee for Andre in this window.
This is a deal you can expect to see revisited at some point down the line; Fulham laying the early groundwork.
Fulham keen to sign Fluminense’s Andre Trindade after Barcelona, Ajax and Liverpool links
“Obviously, I’m focused and very happy. I just renewed my contract until 2026. That’s what matters,” Andre admits after Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Botafogo.
“It’s normal to get an offer (from another club).”
Fluminense’s number seven is at his most comfortable in a deep-lying central midfield role. But he is more than your typical ball-winner. Andre loves to get his foot on the ball and dictate the play, with those raking passes or slaloming runs.
The one-time Barca target could slot in alongside Palhinha in the heart of Marco Silva’s rock-solid engine room; given the freedom by the Portuguese powerhouse to push on and join the attack in a manner similar to that of the buzzing Harrison Reed.
“We have an agreement with him that, in 2023, he will stay here to play in the Copa Libertadores,” Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt said recently (Netflu).
“And, at the end of 2023, we will evaluate whether interesting offers arrive. But, for sure, during 2023 Andre will not be sold and will stay with us throughout the year.”
“It was a very special year for me,” Andre himself tells GE. “I found out that I’m going to be a father. I was a champion for the first time in the professional game. And I heard my name being sung in the Maracana.
“Winning the Carioca (the Rio state championship), was an important moment in my career.”
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