Liverpool midfielder Fabinho could still leave for Saudi Arabia, although his deal has been delayed. Jürgen Klopp requires a quick resolution to the situation.
Liverpool expected to lose Brazilian midfielder Fabinho this summer, but his move to Saudi Arabia is in risk after taking longer than expected.
According to The Athletic, Fabinho’s move to Al Ittihad is still possible, but the $52 million (£40 million/€46 million) deal is in jeopardy, and if no new developments are made by Wednesday, the player will return to pre-season training with the Reds.
The desire for the deal to be completed remains on all parties, and the delay has nothing to do with the player’s pets, as had been suggested last week, but the potential of the transfer failing has been opened up.
Last week, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg revealed that Bayern Munich was waiting in the wings in case the Saudi Arabia deal for Fabinho fell through.
If his move to the Middle East falls through, Liverpool may sanction the departure of a modern-day legend to Bayern Munich for the second summer in a row.
However, given that Jordan Henderson’s departure to the Saudi Pro League is anticipated to be completed, it may not be the worst thing for Liverpool to retain Fabinho.
Henderson and Fabinho leaving in the same transfer window, together with James Milner, would leave Liverpool with a massive vacuum in experience to cover, and the Reds would then need to bring in two more midfielders.
If Fabinho stays, a move to Liverpool for Roméo Lavia as a long-term number six option who could then be eased into the team could make more sense.
A move for the $64 million (£50 million/€58 million)-rated Lavia would have to be funded without the $52 million Fabinho boost, although Henderson is projected to net Liverpool $15 million (£12 million/€14 million), which might help fund the transfer.
It is still possible that both Fabinho and Henderson’s trades go through and Liverpool has big surgery to finish before the new season begins, as was previously expected, but keeping the Brazilian would not be the worst thing that could happen.
As has been the case for some days, the greatest thing Liverpool can obtain from this point is clarity, so that its plans can be implemented as soon as possible and without further disturbance.
There are justifications for both sides, but if Fabinho decides to stay and Lavia arrives, the strategy may revert back to a gradual succession in that position. Liverpool would miss out on a $52 million windfall, but would benefit in other ways. The Reds benefit by either receiving more money for Fabinho than was initially anticipated, or by not having to hurry around for a replacement in a summer that has seen lots of other players leave.
It remains to be seen how things fall into place, but activity and advancements are certainly on the horizon. The sooner Liverpool and Fabinho know where they stand, the better, as the days count down to the start of the new season.
