Fulham, Liverpool, and Man Utd can make £30m midfielder's dream come true this January

The origins of the word 'swansong' are thought to come from the early 19th century, and in particular, the German 'Schwanengesang', which refers to a lament like that fabled to be sung by a dying swan. Pretty macabre stuff. In the modern day, however, the term has taken on a much less grim connotation, and in many cases, can even boast something of a celebratory hue.

Regardless, as far as swansongs go, they don't come much more illustrious than the FIFA Club World Cup final. It is a competition that somehow manages to mean both everything and nothing at the same time; to win it is to be crowned literal champions of the footballing globe, to lose it is to hop on a flight home and carry on with your business as if nothing happened. On Friday, Manchester City will face Brazilian outfit Fluminense for a predominantly ceremonial title, and while all eyes will be on Pep Guardiola's men, there will be an interesting sub-plot at play in the opposing dressing room.

Promising midfielder Andre has been perpetually linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, and while it was initially understood that he was staying put in Rio de Janeiro to help his current side win the Copa Libertadores, after Friday's meeting with City, he will have no continental (or indeed, intercontinental) duties left to fulfil for his boyhood club. As such, chatter surrounding a potential January transfer is likely to ignite once more in the coming days and weeks, and to that end, the player himself is throwing plenty of fuel on the proverbial fire.

Speaking to Premier League Brasil, the 22-year-old said: “I watch the Premier League and it’s a big dream to play there one day. I’m focused on finishing the season at Fluminense and realising my dream of winning the Club World Cup. But my dream is clear, to be a Premier League player." It doesn't come much more clear cut than that.

Paying particular interest to Andre's quotes will no doubt be Fulham, who have emerged as shock contenders for his signature since the end of the summer transfer window, although it is also worth nothing that both Liverpool and Manchester United have been heavily touted as potential suitors as well.

As recently as last month, it was widely reported that an offer of around £30 million could be enough to tempt Fluminense into a sale, and with persistent rumours over Joao Palhinha's future at Craven Cottage, the nagging feeling that Jurgen Klopp is perhaps still one body away from a complete midfield rebuild at Anfield, and a ceaseless general malaise in the engine room at Old Trafford, it is quite easy to imagine any one of Andre's aforementioned Premier League admirers rekindling their pursuit in the new year.

In all probability, that would have happened anyways, but with this latest batch of comments from the midfielder, it is now more likely than ever that he will find himself propping up gossip columns across the land from now until the beginning of February. Hell, if he plays well enough on Friday, City might even whack him in their hand luggage and snaffle him for themselves...