Barcelona and Manchester City are reportedly the latest two teams to show an interest in signing Fluminense midfielder Andre.
Regarded as one of the hottest properties on the South American market, the 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a switch to the Premier League for the past few months.
A product of the Fluminense youth system, Andre - who favours the number six position but can also occupy a box-to-box role - has scored four goals and set up three more in 170 matches for his current side in all tournaments.
The 2001-born lynchpin played a staggering 60 matches in the 2023 season, starting 12 games during Fluminense's run to the Copa Libertadores crown, which propelled him into the South American limelight.
Andre also played every minute of Fluminense's Club World Cup campaign, as Fernando Diniz's men eased past El Ahly in the semi-finals before being demolished 4-0 by Man City in Friday's showpiece.
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The midfielder's club exploits have also caught the eye of the Brazilian national team, and he has earned four caps for his nation this year, starting their last two World Cup qualifying losses to Colombia and Argentina.
Fluminense have Andre under contract until New Year's Eve 2026, having agreed an extension with the highly-rated Brazilian at the start of the year, but a move to Europe in the near future seems inevitable.
Andre has confirmed his desire to play in the Premier League amid interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, although surprise contenders Fulham are currently said to be leading the race as they plan for life without Joao Palhinha.
While the Cottagers are said to be closing in on the capture of Andre, nothing has been set in stone, and a report from Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona and Man City are also monitoring the situation.
The reigning English, world and European champions brought Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic to the club following Ilkay Gundogan's departure in the summer, but neither player has nailed down a regular starting role for the Citizens.
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A new lynchpin could also be on the shopping list if the out-of-favour Kalvin Phillips - who is believed to be in talks with Juventus - completes an anticipated move away from the Etihad Stadium when the New Year rolls around.
Gundogan swapped Man City for Catalonia this summer, while Oriol Romeu arrived from Girona as a like-for-like replacement for the long-serving Sergio Busquets, but the 32-year-old has started just one of Barca's last eight La Liga games.
An upgrade on Romeu is thought to be a priority for Barcelona in 2024, and moves have been mooted for all of Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, Royal Antwerp's Arthur Vermeeren and Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino.
The latter's teammate Martin Zubimendi is also said to have been a long-time target for the Blaugrana, but they are now believed to have cooled their interest in the 24-year-old.
Ben Knapton
