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.
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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.
As per Fabrizio Romano, ‘talks with Al Ittihad are now advanced’, which is likely to net the Reds a significant fee for the Brazilian and allow them to continue their midfield rebuild.
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.