Liverpool may have to wait until the January transfer window to sign midfield target Andre even though they might now miss out on Romeo Lavia. Fluminense are refusing to lose Brazil international Andre until their Copa Libertadores campaign is over.
Their 2-0 victory over Argentinos Juniors on Tuesday night means the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A club advance into the quarter-finals of the South American Champions League. They will contest their two last-eight legs on 22-24 August and 29-31 August.
And that means it may be too difficult for Liverpool to do a deal before the window shuts. The 22-year-old has a £34million release clause in his contract but the Reds would face a race against time to get the finer details sorted before the September 1 deadline.
That scenario is also entirely dependent on Fluminense losing their quarter-final tie, too. Liverpool would be wise not to pin all of their hopes on that happening given victory would then leave them an extremely short window to sign an alternative for the first six months of the year.
A move for Andre in January may now be more likely as Jurgen Klopp rebuilds his midfield. Though he may still need another new midfielder in the door before then or Liverpool risk being left short on numbers.
They have signed Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister but have lost five first-team midfielders this summer including captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho who were regular starters last term.
Andre would be a long-term successor for Thiago Alcantara, who is out of contract in 2024. The one-cap Brazil international profiles more as a controller with an impressive passing range, like Thiago, rather than as a ball-winner like a Fabinho.
Liverpool have been working on a deal to sign Romeo Lavia from Southampton to replace Fabinho as the team’s starting No 6. Journalist Sacha Tavolieri reported on Thursday that the Saints expected the Reds to meet their £50m price tag.
But Chelsea have now stolen in with a £48m bid for the 19-year-old including add-ons. Liverpool have had three bids rejected for the Belgian with the latest at around £45m.
Southampton are refusing to lower their £50m valuation of the 19-year-old who only joined from Manchester City 12 months ago for up to £14m. Yet Chelsea’s proposal may be enough for them to let Lavia leave for Stamford Bridge.
Missing out on the player after all of their background work would be an embarrassing setback for Klopp’s side. What’s more, Chelsea are also closing in on a deal to sign Brighton’s Moises Caicedo for around £100m.
The Ecuadorian is another defensive-minded player admired by Liverpool although he has been deemed far too expensive for the Merseyside outfit.
