Nottingham Forest have brought in a major intermediary to try to unlock their move for Corinthians midfielder André, with negotiations still needing some work.
There was plenty of optimism around the transfer on Wednesday. Journalist Bruno Andrade even said he felt it was a “matter of time” before André joined Forest.
His latest information on ESPN Brazil adds a little caution to that. Andrade says the deal isn’t done and “isn’t even advanced yet”.
The big development is the involvement of Giuliano Bertolucci. One of Brazil’s best-known agents, he has travelled to England specifically to help the two clubs find common ground.
He isn’t André’s agent. Instead, he’s acting as an intermediary and Andrade highlights his extensive knowledge of English football and Nottingham Forest in particular.
Face-to-face talks to try to unlock deal
Forest’s only official offer remains the €12m (£10.4m) bid Corinthians rejected. The Brazilian club responded by asking for €15m (£13m) guaranteed plus €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses.
On Wednesday, Andrade reported Forest were considering returning with €14m (£12.1m) plus €4m (£3.5m). That proposal still hasn’t officially arrived, as far as the journalist is aware.
Bertolucci has now travelled to England for face-to-face talks with Nottingham Forest officials. The plan is then to involve Corinthians and André’s representatives remotely. They will try to establish whether Forest can meet the Brazilian club’s demands or Corinthians need to lower them.
Andrade explained that Bertolucci has been brought in specifically “to try to unlock the negotiation”. There’s also a clearer idea of when Forest could make their next move.
Corinthians could demand €21m package
Local outlet UOL reports Corinthians expect an official offer from Nottingham Forest by Friday, August 28. They also provides a different and much more detailed breakdown of the figures being discussed.
According to their information, Corinthians want up to €21m (£18.2m) for André.
That would consist of €15m (£13m) guaranteed, €3m (£2.6m) in bonuses linked to targets achieved in Brazil before the end of the year, and another €3m (£2.6m) based on sporting objectives during his first year at Forest.
Corinthians also want a 20% sell-on clause covering the profit Forest make on a future transfer.
The figures which have reached Corinthians through André’s camp are lower. UOL says those discussions have involved €13.5m (£11.7m) guaranteed, €2m (£1.7m) in bonuses for targets achieved while André remains in Brazil and another €3m (£2.6m) for objectives at Nottingham Forest.
That would make the overall package worth €18.5m (£16m). The €2m (£1.7m) in Brazil-related bonuses would depend on André making between six and eight appearances before the end of the Brazilian season. The other €3m (£2.6m) would depend on targets after his move to England.
Optimism remains, but there’s work to do
The different figures being reported make one thing particularly clear: Forest and Corinthians are still negotiating the structure of the deal.
Corinthians want to sell and, given their financial situation, need to bring money in. Forest clearly want André enough to continue talks after seeing their first bid rejected.
Yet Wednesday’s optimism hasn’t produced a second official offer just yet.
The arrival of Bertolucci is an attempt to change that. His relationship with Brazilian football, Corinthians and the English market makes him a useful figure to have sitting across the table from Forest.
Andrade believes greater progress is more likely on Friday than Thursday. He was told Thursday’s Champions League draw has taken much of the attention across European football, even though Forest aren’t involved in the competition.
His “matter of time” prediction may still prove correct. First, though, Bertolucci has been brought in to turn all these discussions and different figures into an offer Corinthians are actually prepared to accept.
