He’s better than Lavia: Klopp now pushing to sign ‘coveted’ £26m ‘leader’ at Liverpool
It still seems like Jurgen Klopp’s midfield needs one or two more players.
Despite making three additions this summer, Jurgen Klopp’s team’s midfield still feels rather underwhelming, and with the summer transfer window entering its last week, negotiations may soon heat up.
What’s new regarding Andre’s move to Liverpool?
The Reds reportedly made a €30 million (£25 million) offer for Fluminense midfielder Andre this summer, but the approach was turned down when the Brazilian Serie A team was in the Conmebol Libertadores quarterfinals.
The most recent Liverpool transfer news can be found HERE.
The 22-year-old’s Fluminense contract reportedly has a €40 million (£34 million) release clause, according to reports in Brazil supplied by Sport Witness, but the way this trade has progressed over the past few weeks implies there is a reluctance to meet the price on the Anfield side.
This summer, Liverpool added Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo. However, given that Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were sold to Saudi Arabia and that James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contracts are about to expire, it could be wise to make another acquisition.
How talented is André?
Jacek Kulig, a talent scout, praised the tough-tackling, “top-class roaming playmaker” as being in excellent form in his native Brazil for Fluminense, where he has made 148 appearances for just that team.
Liverpool’s team shows promise after a disappointing season last year, but a top-notch holding midfielder has been essential. The Merseyside club was hurt by the failure to sign Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who both transferred to Chelsea despite an agreement on price.
With the one-cap Brazil player, Klopp and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke may have struck gold if they can secure a deal for him for less than half the £58 million Chelsea paid to Southampton for Lavia. This would be especially true after the clever £16 million transfer of the hardworking Endo from Stuttgart.
Andre, who Kulig has referred to as a “leader” this season, has made an average of 2.5 tackles per game, completed 94% of his passes, has an average rating of 7.14 in 16 appearances in the Brasileiro Serie A, and has made 64% of his ground duels and 70% of his dribble attempts.
Lavia, on the other hand, scored an average league score of 6.80 when playing for Southampton last season. He also completed 86% of his passes, averaged 2.1 tackles, and won 58% of his ground duels while competing in the Premier League for a rather terrible Saints club that was relegated.
Lavia is a wonderful talent, as evidenced by the fact that, according to FBref, he was in the top 6% of midfielders in the top five leagues in Europe over the last year for blocks per 90, but Andre may offer a more dynamic skill set to strengthen the Liverpool engine room.
The South American star actually ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in Men’s Next Eight divisions for pass completion, the top 2% for passes attempted, and the top 7% for successful take-ons per 90, demonstrating a passing prowess and energy in the center that would complement Klopp’s high-octane system, so slick and irresistible when it’s scorching at its peak.
Lavia is without a doubt a prodigious talent, but now that the Belgian is a member of Stamford Bridge, Andre must be signed as the wise alternative, and it could be a move that pays off handsomely as Liverpool chart a course back to the top. Andre was once hailed as his club’s most “coveted” asset by former striker Fred.