'Liverpool made a transfer bid for our $40m player but understood why we couldn't accept it'

As Liverpool revamped its midfield department last summer, four new players arrived in that area of the field. Alexis Mac Allister was first, before Dominik Szoboszlai , Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch all followed.

But there was another name, Andre Trindade , who was linked consistently with a move . A year on, amid the search for a number six that led to Martin Zubimendi , it still makes some stylistic sense.

The Brazilian club Fluminense, though, was insistent that Andre would not leave until January at the earliest. It was very keen to keep Andre for the FIFA Club World Cup, and he played in the final against Manchester City — a 4-0 win for Pep Guardiola's side in December. Even in the winter window, though, Andre didn't leave and so far he remains contracted to the South American giant.

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Now, the Fluminense president, Mario Bittencourt, has opened up on the transfer. He says that Liverpool made an offer for the $40m (£30m/€35m) -rated midfielder but the Reds understood why he couldn't let the then-22-year-old leave. He has also drawn interest from Fulham.

"Liverpool understood our move and we knew that new offers would come in," he explained to Flashscore . "The player and his manager have been very straightforward with us on this occasion.

"We know that it's the player who decides. If he's interested in playing abroad, we won't go against him, and I've given them my word that I'll do everything I can to make this dream come true."

Liverpool.com says: Andre looks like a player who would be capable of stepping up to the Premier League but it is interesting that no one has bought him when he was so extensively linked with a move to England. If he does ever make the switch, it will be fascinating to see how he gets on.