Manchester United have ‘only enquired’ about Andre Trindade as Premier League rivals Fulham close in on a deal to sign the £30 million-rated Brazil international from Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense.
The Red Devils may find themselves in something of a Kim Min Jae situation with Andre Trindade.
There is interest, yes, as there was in the Bayern Munich defender. But with funds tight and with more pressing needs elsewhere, Manchester United are facing up to the prospect of Andre signing a long-term deal elsewhere before they are in a position to turn that interest into anything more concrete.
According to the London Evening Standard, Man United have ‘only enquired’ about the 21-year-old Brazil enforcer at this stage. With Casemiro still very much a Manchester United player and with Sofyan Amrabat on loan at Old Trafford until the end of the season, the plan may have been to move for Andre in July rather than in January.
Unfortunately for Erik ten Hag and co, the Copa Libertadores winner could be a Fulham player by the time 2023/24 comes to an end. Because, while Man United have barely got out of the blocks, Marco Silva’s Cottagers are picking up the pace and hurtling towards the finish line.
Manchester United could miss Andre Trindade chance
Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham’s chief executive, held face-to-face talks over the Fluminense ace last week. Likely a long-term replacement for Bayern Munich target Joao Palhinha, Andre is potentially now just days away from agreeing a £30 million move to Craven Cottage ahead of the winter window.
“I want to give you exclusive information which was brought to me by an important source,” Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola said via his official YouTube channel on Sunday.
“This person called me on Saturday to tell me that an offer of 30 million euros has been passed on to Fluminense. The player (Andre) was pleased (with the offer). He also likes the project presented by the London club ,and feeling is that the hammer will be beaten in the coming days, unless a new offer appears and overtakes the one from Fulham.”
“Fulham are looking for a replacement for Joao Palhinha,” Nicola adds. “Their idea is to have Andre from January onwards. Manchester United is another one of several interested parties but, at the moment, (Fulham) seem to be the favourite.”
United prioritising defenders
If Manchester United are to make a big signing in January – and even that seems unlikely given their Financial Fair Play concerns – the chances are that it will be a defender, such as Jean-Clair Todibo or Goncalo Inacio, rather than a potential Casemiro successor.
TalkSPORT add that Fulham are now ‘confident’ that Andre will be unveiled Craven Cottage after Christmas.
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