Fabinho is on the verge of leaving Liverpool after being left out of the club’s pre-season training camp.
Liverpool received an official bid from Saudi Arabia club Al-Ittihad on Friday evening and a £40 million deal is more likely. Having earlier announced that he would travel to a pre-season camp, the club therefore took the decision to omit him from the traveling party heading to Germany on Saturday, signaling the end of his five-year Anfield career.
Fabinho informed Liverpool he wants out with his representatives having already agreed lucrative terms. His exit was dependent on Liverpool reaching a position where they are sure they will receive a reasonable fee.
The Merseyside club is now proactively working on his replacement. Having early established interest in Southampton teenager Romeo Lavia, Jürgen Klopp and his recruitment team are considering numerous targets.
While Lavia is liked, the admiration for him was not geared towards him replacing a senior midfielder. As the No. 6, Fabinho has been a key player in Klopp’s system and he would prefer a more experienced replacement, especially as Lavia is valued at £50 million.
Suggestions Liverpool are turning to Brighton’s Moises Caicedo are not correct at this stage. Liverpool believe Caicedo is well advanced in talks with Chelsea and that ship has sailed.
While Fabinho prepares to leave, captain Jordan Henderson’s future remains uncertain. No offer has yet materialized for the 33-year-old and Klopp is obviously reluctant to allow both players to go.
Fabinho joined Liverpool for £43.7 million from Monaco in 2018 and was a key figure in the side which won the Champions League the following season, and then the Premier League in 2020.
His performances deteriorated at the beginning of the last season, but he rallied in the final months. It was not Klopp’s intention to sell him, but he has often said that he will discard those who are no longer committed.
As the only outright specialist ‘No. 6’ at Anfield, his absence leaves a significant void. Henderson and youngster Stefan Bajcetic are the alternatives but Klopp needs more, particularly as the captain is also considering moving to Saudi Arabia.
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