FULHAM are in talks to sign Brazil international Andre as a potential replacement for star man Joao Palhinha.
The Cottagers have had a delegation in South America to try and line up a deal for the Fluminense midfielder, who has also been linked with Liverpool.
Marco Silva, who received assurances over backing in the transfer market before committing to a new deal last month, almost lost Palhinha on deadline day in September.
The Portuguese midfielder was in Germany ready to complete a move to Bayern Munich on the final day of the window before the plugged was pulled with Fulham unable to sign a replacement at short notice.
Palhinha quickly signed a new contract until 2028 at Craven Cottage but there are no assurances that he will stay at the club – meaning the West Londoners are having to draw up a succession plan.
Andre, who made his Brazil debut in June, is top of their list and the Whites are currently favourites to complete a deal.
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
The 22-year-old has four goals and three assists in 162 appearances for Fluminense and helped the Brazilian side win the Copa Libatadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League.
Fulham are also in the market to sign a striker in the January market as they continue to struggle following the sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic in the summer.
SunSport revealed this week that Silva is tracking a trio of strikers ahead of the winter window.
Santiago Gimenez at Feyenoord is an ambitious target, while AZ Alkmaar’s Vangelis Pavlidis and Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy are also being monitored.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
Pavlidis, who is the top scorer in the Eredivisie, would be available for around £20million though no official talks have been held so far.
Fulham take on Aston Villa on Sunday at 2pm.
They enter the game facing a Villa team in fine form – with the Villains winning their last 11 consecutive home games stretching back to last season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
