Al Nassr line up move for Corinthians midfielder Andre but face battle with Serie A giants

Al Nassr have identified Corinthians’ Brazilian midfielder Andre as a leading summer target but the Saudi Pro League club are likely to face a complicated transfer battle involving finances, payment structure and strong European interest.

Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola reports that Al Nassr want to sign the 20-year-old this transfer window to strengthen their squad for next season, with Andre viewed as a solution in defensive midfield.

Corinthians are open to selling the player as they look to generate a major transfer fee to ease their own financial problems. However, the Brazilian side have set a firm asking price of €18m plus a further €4m in add-ons.

That valuation is expected to prove difficult for Al Nassr, who are also operating under financial pressure and would struggle to meet the full package under their current constraints.

Payment terms a major obstacle

According to Nicola, Corinthians are not expected to accept a long-term payment plan that would see the fee staggered in instalments over several years, which is understood to be one of the few ways Al Nassr could realistically finance the deal.

The Brazilian club’s reluctance to agree to such a structure is a key factor in making negotiations highly complex, despite their willingness in principle to cash in on Andre.

The situation is further complicated by the stance of the player’s representatives, who are pushing for a move to Europe rather than the Saudi Pro League. Andre has previously attracted interest from AC Milan and Juventus, with his agents believed to be keen on securing him a transfer to a major European league.

Rising talent in Brazil

Andre, who is primarily a defensive midfielder, was promoted to Corinthians’ first team in the summer of last year and has quickly established himself as one of the club’s most promising young players.

Since stepping up, he has made 43 appearances for Corinthians in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing two assists – an impressive return for a player operating mainly in a holding role.

His combination of age, potential and current output is a central reason why Corinthians are demanding a significant fee and why European clubs, particularly in Serie A, have monitored him closely.

Al Nassr seek Brozovic replacement

Al Nassr’s interest in Andre comes as the Riyadh club search for a new defensive midfielder following the departure of Croatia international Marcelo Brozovic, whose contract expired at the end of last season.

The club had been close to signing Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa from Real Mallorca, but that move has not been completed, with financial restrictions currently limiting Al Nassr’s room for manoeuvre in the market.

Those same constraints now threaten to derail their pursuit of Andre, with Corinthians’ cash-upfront preference and the player’s European ambitions leaving Al Nassr facing an uphill task if they are to bring the Brazilian to Saudi Arabia this summer.