Liverpool are reportedly in advanced discussions with Fluminense over the transfer of goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga. The 21-year-old shot-stopper originally joined Liverpool from the Brazilian club in October 2020 for a fee of around £2 million. However, despite being on the Reds’ books for over three years, Pitaluga has yet to make a first-team appearance.
Struggles for Game Time
Pitaluga’s Liverpool career has primarily involved playing at youth levels, including the U18s and U21s, as well as brief stints in the EFL Trophy. He has been an unused substitute for Liverpool’s first team on seven occasions, the last being in December 2023.
The Brazilian has also endured a series of loan spells in search of regular minutes. He played non-league football with Macclesfield during the 2022/23 season and had a brief stint at Irish side St Patrick’s Athletic, making just seven appearances. His most recent loan, a season-long move to Scottish Championship side Livingston, has been similarly underwhelming, with Pitaluga featuring only twice in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
Return to Brazil on the Cards
Pitaluga is reportedly keen on returning to his homeland after struggling to make an impact in Europe. Fluminense, his former club, are open to re-signing the goalkeeper, with Brazilian reports suggesting the move could be a free transfer. However, Liverpool are expected to retain 40% of Pitaluga’s economic rights, effectively inserting a sell-on clause that would ensure they benefit financially from any future transfer.
A Fresh Start for Pitaluga
While Pitaluga’s time at Liverpool hasn’t yielded the breakthrough he might have hoped for, a return to Fluminense offers a chance to revitalise his career. At just 21 years old, he still has time to develop and fulfil the potential that prompted Liverpool to sign him as a teenager.
For Liverpool, the move allows them to offload a player struggling for opportunities while retaining a stake in his future development. As talks progress, Pitaluga could soon be returning to familiar territory in Brazil, looking to reignite his promising career.