Andre 'may well' join Liverpool in January

South American football expert Tim Vickery has claimed that Fluminense's Andre nearly joined Liverpool last summer, suggesting that the Brazilian "may well" make the move to Anfield in January instead.

Despite Liverpool signing four midfielders in the last transfer window, with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch all arriving at Anfield, there is a sense that the Reds could do with another defensive-minded option in the centre of the park.

While Endo fits the bill in that respect, the 30-year-old is more likely to be a rotation option during his time on Merseyside, leaving Jurgen Klopp a little short in the No. 6 role.

Alexis Mac Allister has played there this season with varying degrees of success, while young Stefan Bajcetic has missed much of the season through injury. As a result, Klopp and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke may look for further reinforcements in January.

One player who was heavily linked with a move to the club during the summer was Fluminense midfielder Andre, but the Brazilian outfit were unwilling to let the 22-year-old leave in the middle of their push for the Copa Libertadores trophy.

Fluminense have since reached the final and will face Boca Juniors on Saturday, 4 November. With his campaign coming to a close, Liverpool are now expected to push once again for Andre.

Anfield Watch revealed several weeks ago that Liverpool remain the front-runners for Andre's signature, with Fluminense expected to give the Reds favourable terms for the young midfielder because they decided not to trigger Andre's release clause during the summer, therefore helping the Brazilian side's bid for Copa Libertadores glory.

Respected journalist Tim Vickery has also supported the idea that Andre will be on his way to Merseyside in the winter, while also revealing he was very close to joining the Reds last summer.

Writing his Copa Libertadores final preview for ESPN, Vickery stated: "Balancing out the team is midfielder Andre, who nearly joined Liverpool in the last transfer window and may well make the move in the next."

Vickery's South American expertise makes him a reliable source of information and his words will undoubtedly excite Liverpool fans ahead of the January window.

Speaking of Andre's contribution to Fluminense, he added: "He has to chase, run and cover, often dropping back into the defensive line when Fluminense are chasing the game."

Andre is perhaps not an out-and-out defensive midfielder, playing as more of a deep-lying playmaker in a No. 6 role. However, the two-cap Brazil international is very adept in the defensive third of the pitch, with great robustness and physicality to match his technical qualities.

It's believed that Liverpool have agreed personal terms with the midfielder and he would be a very welcome addition to Liverpool's exciting new-look midfield.