Liverpool and Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Fluminense midfielder Andre.
The two Premier League clubs have both been heavily linked with the Brazilian, who recently helped Fluminense win the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history.
Liverpool attempted to bring Andre to Anfield over the summer, but Fluminense were keen to retain the Brazilian's services for their Copa Libertadores campaign.
While a move failed to materialise ahead of the current campaign, the Reds are still determined to sign the 22-year-old as they look to recruit a holding midfielder.
Like Liverpool, Arsenal want to make an addition in the middle of the park, with uncertainty surrounding Thomas Partey's future.
© Reuters
Although it has been claimed that Liverpool have reached a verbal agreement with Andre over personal terms, the race to sign the Brazilian still appears to be on.
The Premier League duo will be encouraged by the recent comments of Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt, who has admitted that he expects to receive a club-record bid following the Club World Cup in December.
"We are waiting. Today, there is no concrete proposal for Andre," Bittencourt told Ge. Globo. "But we are sure that after the World Cup - he will play in the World Cup - a stratospheric proposal will arrive.
"It could be the biggest sale in the club's history. We could possibly lose both (Andre and defender Nino), but we are working to replace them."
© Reuters
Bitterncourt's comments come after Andre's agent, Carlos Leite, revealed discussions had been held with the club over his client's future.
Speaking to Ge.Globo, Leite said: "He [Bittencourt] came to me and said that Fluminense had no interest in selling Andre this year."
"I talked to the player, explained it to him, and he bought the idea. We agreed that it would only be traded from January 2024 onwards.
"There were actually several proposals [in the summer], all of which came to me, and I forwarded to Mario, but aware that there would be no negotiation."
Andre, who rose through the youth ranks at Fluminense, has made 161 competitive appearances for the club, chipping in with four goals and three assists.
