Liverpool midfielder ‘set’ for £40m Saudi transfer after Klopp ‘leaves him out’ of tour squad
Liverpool and Brazil midfielder Fabinho is reportedly ‘set’ to complete his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad as his deal is no longer ‘in jeopardy’.
The Premier League giants have been busy in the transfer market this summer as around £95m has been spent to sign Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively.
More midfield recruitments are necessary before the end of the transfer window as Jordan Henderson and Fabinho are leaving to join the Saudi Pro League.
It was confirmed on Thursday afternoon that Henderson’s £12m move to Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq has been completed.
This is while Fabinho is being targeted by Al-Ittihad. Earlier this week, it was revealed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein that this deal was ‘in jeopardy’. He stated that ‘all parties remain committed to getting it done if possible’ but ‘there has been a delay to the process’.
Since then, respected journalist Paul Joyce has revealed via Twitter that there is “renewed expectation that Fabinho’s £40m move to Al Ittihad will go ahead” as “talks have started again”.
READ MORE: Mullin > Messi, and Jordan Henderson has burned his bridges with Liverpool too…
The Athletic’s James Pearce is now reporting that Fabinho’s move to Saudi Arabia is now ‘set’ to be completed. He adds.
‘Fabinho has been left out of the Liverpool squad for their pre-season trip to Singapore with the midfielder expected to complete his switch to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.
‘The move had been in jeopardy earlier in the week as talks stalled over the payment structure of the transfer.
‘However, negotiations have since resumed with all parties committed to getting the deal done.’
Liverpool need to sign a replacement for Fabinho and Southampton teenager Romeo Lavia is currently their main target.
Lavia left Man City to join the Saints last summer. They suffered relegation from the Premier League but the midfielder was among their better performers.
The 19-year-old has been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea in recent weeks but Liverpool are currently leading the race to sign him.
Liverpool reporter Neil Jones is of the understanding that they will “go back in with an improved bid” for the youngster.
“Southampton obviously want a bigger price, around £50m, and it feels like Liverpool’s offer isn’t a million miles away from that now, taking into account add-ons,” Jones told Caught Offside.
“It feels like there’s a good chance a compromise could be found, but we’ll have to see how much Liverpool are willing to go up, and how much Southampton might be willing to lower their demands.
“My current understanding is that Liverpool are likely to go back in with an improved bid, worth in excess of £40m including add-ons.”
READ MORE: Southgate can’t keep Henderson in England frame – Newcastle, Villa, Liverpool players would fume
