Liverpool expected to miss out on the next Casemiro to Premier League rivals

Liverpool target Andre Trindade is closing in on a move to Fulham

According to Brazilian news outlet Trivela, Fulham are closing in on the signing of Liverpool-linked Fluminense midfield Andre Trindade in the ongoing summer transfer window.

The Reds were very much interested in signing Andre Trindade from Fluminense last summer as they looked to revamp their ageing midfield unit. With Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Fabinho all departing Anfield ahead of the 2023/24 season, they wanted the Brazilian to be a part of their new-look midfield.

However, a move didn’t materialise and the Merseysiders went on to sign Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch to refresh their options in the engine room.

Liverpool’s interest in Andre was so concrete that they had put in a transfer deadline-day bid last summer, which Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt rejected. Bittencourt stated at the time that the 22-year-old would only be sold in the January transfer window at the earliest, but the Premier League club didn’t renew their interest in the player.

The aforementioned report says Fluminense are seeking a fee closer to €30 million for Andre this summer. Fulham remain confident in getting a deal done regardless of having an initial proposal worth €25 million rejected.

After Fluminense rejected a deadline day bid from Liverpool, as confirmed by president Mario Bittencourt, Andre remained with the Rio de Janeiro-based club and helped them win the Copa Libertadores by beating Boca Juniors in extra-time in Rio de Janeiro. Now that the 22-year-old looks to be on his way to West London side Fulham, Liverpool missing out on Andre’s signing should be considered a boon in disguise.

Among the primary reasons is Stefan Bajcetic coming through the ranks at Liverpool. Bajcetic broke into the first team during the 2022/23 season and was one of the rare bright spots for Jurgen Klopp’s side. The past campaign was a chance for the young Spaniard to build on his impressive breakthrough year but he failed in doing so owing to injury issues.

Now that he is fully fit and raring to go again, Bajcetic has the chance to impress our new boss Arne Slot in the pre-season tour and stake a claim in his first XI in Liverpool’s season-opener against newbies Ipswich Town. Had Andre been a part of the Liverpool squad, Bajcetic’s chances of playing regularly for the first team would have been blocked which may have annoyed the Kopites.

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Moreover, Andre spent more than two months on the sidelines after suffering a medial collateral ligament in his right knee in April. As a result, the defensive midfielder missed out on a spot in Brazil’s Copa America squad. Before his injury, the 22-year-old wasn’t as influential for Fluminense as he used to be in the past, perhaps because of the club blocking a move to the Premier League last year.

With Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Endo settling down well at the club following their arrivals in 2023, and now that Bajcetic has recovered from his knee issue, Liverpool must not loathe missing out on Andre’s signing to Fulham. Even if he is seen as th second coming of Casemiro.