Liverpool transfer saga goes full circle as Arne Slot offered Andre insight

It was a case of what could have been for Liverpool on Saturday evening while going head-to-head with Wolves in the Premier League.

Here was Andre Trindade lining up in midfield for Wolves, having previously been linked with a move to Liverpool. The Reds instead opted to recruit Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch in this position, ensuring the Brazilian did not end up on Merseyside.

Liverpool had been monitoring the progress of Andre for at least 18 months and were in discussions over a permanent deal during the summer of 2023, only to be told Fluminense were not prepared to sell the midfielder midway through their domestic season.

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The Reds' interest was later clarified by Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt, who told ESPN: "In the case of Liverpool, I go even further. Liverpool's chief executive [Billy Hogan] contacted me directly.

"I replied to him: 'My friend, I don't sell players now and I don't deliver them now. If you want to buy now, and only get the player in January, we can start talking... Or if you want to wait until December, we can talk in December.'"

Andre would go on to help secure a first-ever Copa Libertadores title for Fluminense, a major moment in the Brazilian club's history, with many expecting this to be his final act in his home country. Discussing his future at the time, he remarked: "At the end of the year, I don't know what will happen, many things could happen.

"I'm sure that just having arrived here, knowing that it worked, was something that helped me a lot as a person and also helped me in my career. I think that as Diniz said, when we make the right choice, when we are faithful and when we act honestly, good things always happen ahead."

Making clear his priority was the Premier League, Andre added: "I watch the Premier League and it's a big dream to play there. I'm focused on finishing the season with Fluminense and realising our own dream of winning the Club World Cup. But my dream is clear, to be a Premier League player.

"I think every player one day dreams of playing for a big club in Europe, in a big league. But I decided to keep my word because when the January window closed, Diniz [Fluminense manager] arrived and told me that he wanted me here until the end of the year. We didn't know that a proposal of that amount would arrive and I told him that, regardless of what happened, I would be there until the end of the season.

"It ended up passing and arriving in the middle of the year, we were still in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. It was a very difficult decision to make. I think if I had accepted this proposal, I don't know if I would have felt 100% comfortable because I had already agreed with Diniz. He really values his word, his honesty and he always speaks to I know that when we do the right things, good things always happen. And in January he told me that without a doubt, if I stayed I would gamble and my value would increase.

"For me I had not to think about these things and just do the right thing. Our team could be eliminated in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, we have to make the decision. Arriving at the final, everyone will say now that I made the right decision. I think it was a very faithful gesture on my part, to stay, to try to get this title, to try to help as much as possible. So today, regardless of whether our team advanced to the quarter-finals, semis, now the final or not, I was sure that I made the right choice. We are in the final now, we will do everything and I will give my life to win this title.

"At the end of the year, I don't know what will happen, many things could happen. I'm sure that just having arrived here, knowing that it worked, was something that helped me a lot as a person and also helped me in my career. I think that as Diniz said, when we make the right choice, when we are faithful and when we act honestly, good things always happen ahead."

Fulham were heavily linked with Andre this summer after losing the services of Joao Palhinha, though it was Wolves who ended up winning the race to sign the 23-year-old. Describing his emotion over this deal, Andre shared: “It was pretty quick. The transfer came through on Wednesday. I travelled to England on Thursday and had my tests on Friday. Then I was called up for the game against Nottingham. On Saturday, I came on and made my debut for my new club. Then I flew back to Brazil to report to the national team.

“The relationship has always been clear between my manager, me and the board. We made an agreement. Last year, it was to focus on the Libertadores. And this year I would leave regardless of the offer that came in. I’m fulfilling a dream of playing in the Premier League and the Fluminense board have kept their word.”

During Saturday's head-to-head with Liverpool, the midfielder had 47 touches, a 94% pass success rate, completed one successful tackle and was booked for a challenge on Alexis Mac Allister. How Andre would have fared in Slot's current side remains a mystery we may never get the answer to.