30 October 2023 , 08:52
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Fluminense midfielder Andre has explained he rejected the chance to leave the club in summer but will be open to a January transfer – with Liverpool maintaining an ongoing interest.
The Reds saw a £25million bid to sign the midfielder knocked back by the Brazilian club in August. That was based on the fact the club were aiming to win the Copa Libertadores, the South American Champions League, this campaign.
Fluminense standing strong has paid off, they have reached next month’s final against Argentine giants Boca Juniors. Having fallen short in the 2008 decider of the competition, the Rio de Janiero club are now aiming to win the coveted trophy for the first ever time.
As outlined by ESPN, the reasoning that Fluminense outright rejected the talented Andre leaving over the summer was because they remain in the Copa Libertadores and see the midfielder as a fundamental part of their team.
He has now confirmed that he had already promised the club that he would remain for 2023, before re-evaluating his future in January 2024. The midfielder added that he believes his value has now increased in that timeframe due to the club’s successes.
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"In this past window I didn't talk about it, the first time I'm going to talk in more depth will be now," Andre explained in an interview with CONMEBOL Libertadores. "It really was an irrefutable proposal from the club that plays in a big league.
"I think every player one day dreams of playing for a big club in Europe, in a big league. But I decided to keep my word because when the January window closed, Diniz [Fluminense manager] arrived and told me that he wanted me here until the end of the year. We didn't know that a proposal of that amount would arrive and I told him that, regardless of what happened, I would be there until the end of the season.
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Fluminense scored two late goals against Internacional to reach the Copa Libertadores final (AP)"It ended up passing and arriving in the middle of the year, we were still in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. It was a very difficult decision to make. I think if I had accepted this proposal, I don't know if I would have felt 100% comfortable because I had already agreed with Diniz. He really values his word, his honesty. I know that when we do the right things, good things always happen. And in January he told me that without a doubt, if I stayed I would gamble and my value would increase."
Andre has made more than 150 appearances for Fluminense and won his first senior cap for Brazil earlier this year. The Brazilian football season runs throughout British summertime, hence why the Copa Libertadores knockout stages took place over those months and why South American clubs are often more open to sales during the winter.
Andre is a right-footed defensive midfielder who is admired for his tactical understanding, robustness, and technical ability. He is viewed as the star of the Fluminense side, for whom he came through their youth ranks – and is now a part of the furniture at international level for Brazil.
The Reds had thought a pursuit of the Brazilian was worthwhile as the midfielder’s agent is Jorge Mendes, whose agency also represents Liverpool duo Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota. The super-agent may yet help facilitate another move to Anfield soon.