Liverpool star Fabinho has been left out of his side’s pre-season tour of Germany as he looks to seal a shock £40m move to Al Ittihad before the new season.
Al-Ittihad have already signed Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Celtic’s Jota this summer, but are part of a league-wide scheme to continue attracting top talent to the middle east, and will continue to splash the cash as a result.
Brazilian Fabinho, who has been a key member of Jurgen Klopp’s side since arriving from Monaco in 2018, has three years left to run on his contract at Anfield. However, he was a shadow of his former self last season, and though still only 29-years-old there are question marks about his longevity in the Liverpool side.
Liverpool, UK. 01st Nov, 2022. Fabinho of Liverpool looks on. UEFA Champions league, group A match, Liverpool v Napoli at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool on Tuesday 1st November 2022. this image may only be used for Editorial purposes. Editorial use only, li 2KAA5YR Liverpool, UK. 01st Nov, 2022. Fabinho of Liverpool looks on. UEFA Champions league, group A match, Liverpool v Napoli at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool on Tuesday 1st November 2022. this image may only be used for Editorial purposes. Editorial use only, license required for commercial use. No use in betting, games or a single club/league/player publications. pic by Chris Stading/Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live news Credit: Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)
Any departure could see the Reds step up their interest in Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, who is believed to be on the market for around £40m.
Now, further indication that the Brazilian will leave the club this summer has been forthcoming after he was left out of Liverpool’s pre-season squad heading to Germany, with personal terms having already been agreed for him to head to Saudi Arabia.
It is reported that ‘Al Ittihad submitted an official £40m offer’ which has led to belief that a ‘deal [is] expected to be done’ in the coming days.
However, club captain Jordan Henderson, who is also expected to leave after agreeing personal terms with Al-Ettifaq, has been included as the Saudi Arabia side look to agree a fee with the Reds for the 33-year-old to depart Anfield.
This is because the two clubs ‘are not close to agremeent on fee’, which means that for now, Henderson is staying put.