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Last week, Palmeiras legal manager Leonardo Holanda was in England, and reportedly made the final push to sign Fulham’s Andreas Pereira.

Earlier this week, Palmeiras president Leila Pereira stated she isn’t counting on signing the Fulham player anymore.

ESPN in Brazil report Palmeiras haven’t completely given up on the 29-year-old despite the president’s recent remarks.

The ‘soap opera for the midfielder’ has been going on since mid-December and is likely to continue. The South American club believe they have agent Giuliano Bertolucci as an ally and want to use him as a ‘trump card’ to close the operation for the former Manchester United man.

ESPN state Bertolucci is leading the negotiations with Marco Silva’s side and Palmeiras want to use him as an ally to snatch Andreas Pereira from Fulham.

The Premier League side are said to be waiting to see if European clubs will send proposals higher than the one made by Palmeiras. Earlier claims have stated they offered around €20m plus bonuses.

The winter market in England closes next Monday while it’s open until February 28th in Brazil. ESPN say time is on Palmeiras’ side, without taking into account that Fulham can’t sign a replacement if they sell Pereira after deadline day.

Palmeiras are optimistic of using Bertolucci as an ally to sign Pereira, but it’s Fulham who clearly hold the power.