MX23RW : Sunday, May 4 05:33:48| >> :120:31836:31836:

Fulham 'confident' of striking a £21m deal for Brazilian midfielder

Fulham 'hopeful' of signing Joao Palhinha replacement
© Imago
Fulham are reportedly confident that they can strike a deal to sign Fluminense midfielder Andre as a replacement for Joao Palhinha.

Fulham are reportedly confident that they can agree a €25m (£21m) deal to sign Fluminense midfielder Andre.

Last week, the Cottagers began their transfer business by re-signing academy product Ryan Sessegnon following his exit from Tottenham Hotspur.

They are expected to recruit Emile Smith-Rowe as their second signing of the summer, having reached an agreement to sign the Arsenal midfielder in a club-record deal worth up to £34m.

With Smith Rowe set to be unveiled in the coming days, Fulham are likely to turn their attention to signing a replacement for Portugal international Joao Palhinha.

The defensive midfielder spent two seasons at Craven Cottage before completing a move to German giants Bayern Munich earlier this summer.

Fluminense's Andre in action on December 18, 2023© Imago

Fulham hopeful of securing Andre deal

It was recently reported that Fulham was pursuing a deal to sign Fluminense's Andre after being previously linked with a move in the last two transfer windows.

Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt cast doubt over the potential move, revealing that Fulham were yet to respond to the Brazilian club's counter-offer.

However, according to journalist Bruno Andrade, Fulham are confident that they can strike a deal to sign the Brazilian midfielder this summer.

The Cottagers want to agree a transfer for €25m (£21m), while Fluminense are looking to receive €30m (£25m) to part ways with a player who is under contract until December 2026.

Fulham are seemingly prepared to remain patient in their pursuit because they believe that Fluminense will drop their asking price as the transfer window wears on.

Fluminense's Andre pictured on April 18, 2023© Reuters

From Copa Libertadores to Premier League?

Andre has spent his entire career with Fluminense, working his way through the club's youth setup before making his senior debut in September 2020.

The 23-year-old has made 190 appearances across all competitions, contributing to Fluminense's attacking efforts with four goals and four assists.

The defensive midfielder was a key figure in Fluminense's Copa Libertadores success last year, starting 12 of the 13 matches to help the Brazilian club win the competition for the first time in their history.

Although there is uncertainty surrounding his future, Andre continues to be a regular fixture in the Fluminense side, having started each of the last four matches, including Sunday's 1-0 win over Bragantino.

Andre will be pleased to get valuable game time after recently returning from a knee injury which kept him out for around two months.

ID:549380:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4763:
Written by
Ben Sully

Click here for more stories about Joao Palhinha

Click here for more stories about Fulham

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Fluminense's Andre in action on December 18, 2023
Read Next:
Andre update: Fluminense respond to Fulham interest
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool34257280324882
2Arsenal351813464313367
3Manchester CityMan City35197967432464
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341951065442162
5Chelsea34179859401960
6Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest341861053411260
7Aston Villa3517995549660
8Bournemouth3514111055421353
9Fulham35149125047351
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton34131295655151
11Brentford34147135850849
12Crystal Palace341112114347-445
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35125185162-1141
14Everton35815123643-739
15Manchester UnitedMan Utd34109153947-839
16Tottenham HotspurSpurs34114196256637
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham3499163958-1936
18Ipswich TownIpswich35410213576-4122
19Leicester CityLeicester3556242976-4721
20Southampton3525282582-5711


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!