Nottingham Forest are getting closer to Corinthians midfielder André, with an improved offer now being discussed as the two sides try to find common ground.
There is enough optimism around the talks for ESPN Brazil journalist Bruno Andrade to say he believes it is now a “matter of time” before André is sold to Forest.
That’s only his assessment of the situation of course. Still, the latest details from Brazil show why he has reached that conclusion.
Forest had their opening €12m (£10.4m) offer rejected by Corinthians. The Brazilian club responded by asking for €15m (£13m) guaranteed plus €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses. André’s representatives then travelled to England for face-to-face talks with Forest officials. We covered it all yesterday.
Now those discussions are trying to close the gap.
Forest working on improved offer
According to Andrade, Nottingham Forest are considering an improved package worth €14m (£12.1m) plus another €4m (£3.5m) in bonuses.
That would take the overall deal to €18m (£15.6m), just €2m (£1.7m) short of the package Corinthians have requested.
There is one important detail here: Forest have not yet formally submitted that offer.
The €14m (£12.1m) plus €4m (£3.5m) structure has initially been discussed verbally. Forest are expected to discuss it internally before deciding whether to put those figures on paper and send them to Corinthians.
Andrade also leaves open the possibility of Forest simply agreeing to Corinthians’ €15m (£13m) plus €5m (£4.3m) request. Equally, their eventual offer could come in below the €18m (£15.6m) package currently being discussed.
So the exact numbers remain up in the air, even if the direction of travel looks positive.
‘Matter of time’ for André to join Forest
What does appear significant is the trip made by André’s representatives. They are now in England to sit down directly with Nottingham Forest and try to find common ground. Corinthians’ need to make a significant sale also gives everyone a reason to get this done.
Andrade believes those factors make a transfer increasingly likely.
“If an offer of €14m plus €4m does actually arrive, I believe there’s room to work with that and get a deal done,” he said.
“Considering André’s agent has travelled there, and considering Corinthians need to sell, even though we still don’t know what the final figures of the deal will be, I think there’s something to work with here.”
“I do think it’s only a matter of time before André is sold to Nottingham Forest.”
Andrade, who is very well connected when Corinthians is the topic, made it clear this final part is his opinion based on the information he currently has and the way negotiations are progressing.
There has already been an offer, a rejection and a counteroffer. André’s representatives are now in England, while Forest work out exactly what they want to put on the table next.
Corinthians want a €20m (£17.3m) package and Forest are considering one worth €18m (£15.6m). There’s still negotiating to do, but the feeling coming from Brazil is clearly that the two sides should be able to find a way through.
