New updates from Brazil bring further details on Andreas Pereira’s situation, complementing what had already been reported and seemingly confirming that negotiations between Palmeiras and Fulham are indeed underway.
According to a club insider outlet, the São Paulo side have set the amount they are ready to pay: around €15m including bonuses.
That figure is €10m lower than Fulham’s initial demand earlier this year, given his situation in Craven Cottage. Salary levels are also being reviewed, with Palmeiras unwilling to match what was offered in January. One solution discussed would be a five-year contract, rather than the four years on the table previously.
Local journalist Paulo Vinícius Coelho, a Palmeiras expert, made it clear that the deal is alive.“The negotiation is happening. The value from the start of the year, around €18m, may go down a little,”he said.
He noted that Andreas did not come off the bench in Fulham’s league opener and“is not in the preview for the match against Manchester United on Sunday, so Andreas has lost space at Fulham. Coincidentally, the negotiation has returned.”
PVC pointed out that while no one on either side has confirmed talks, the silence is telling:“Talking to Andreas’ side, it’s like this: ‘I don’t have any news yet.’ OK, but I didn’t even ask… So something is happening, we know it. At Palmeiras, there’s no reply, and silence at Palmeiras is a reply. So, there is a negotiation happening.”
Looking ahead, the journalist believes Palmeiras will keep pushing to reduce the fee. In his words:“It is possible that it will be for less than €18m, it is an expensive deal, but Palmeiras have the money. So the negotiation has to happen before 2 September and I think it will happen, because Andreas is not playing at Fulham.”
Adding to that, Globo Esporte revealed that the Palmeiras board maintain a close relationship with the midfielder’s agents, who also represent goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, signed this week from Nottingham Forest.
Still, with memories of the failed January deal in mind, Palmeiras know they cannot let the saga drag on much longer. With the window closing soon, the next step must come quickly if they are to finally land Andreas Pereira.