Liverpool set to receive £40M for veteran midfielder after contract agreed

One of the biggest talking points around the entire Premier League this summer is about Liverpool’s midfield. Everyone expected there to be an overhaul, but now it looks like the ‘best three’ in the midfield will be entirely new players. The additions of Dominik Szboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have made this a reality. The club has also seen the departures of Alexander Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner from the midfield. Now, along with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho is expected to leave the club.

As The Top Flight reported last week, Saudi side Al-Ittihad is interested in signing Fabinho. At that point, Liverpool were yet to receive an official offer from the club, but things are now advancing. Fabrizio Romano reports that ‘key details’ of Fabinho’s transfer are being discussed by Al-Ittihad and Liverpool. Things such as installments and the structure of payment are topics of discussion. This comes after Al-Ittihad submitted a £40M offer to Liverpool, per The Telegraph.

Fabinho has agreed to personal terms with Al-Ittihad and has already spoken to former Wolves and Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Liverpool have travelled to Germany for their pre-season training and matches, but Fabinho has been left behind as a move nears.

Fabinho being considered a Liverpool “legend” may be a stretch, but he played an important role in his time at the club. Anchoring the back of the midfield for five seasons at the club, Liverpool won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup during Fabinho’s tenure.

Who could replace Fabinho at Liverpool?

James Pearce of The Athletic is reporting that Sofyan Amrabat, Ryan Gravenberch, Romeo Lavia, and Kalvin Phillips are all being considered as Fabinho replacements. Lavia has been heavily linked, and it is believed the club is focused on signing him. Phillips would be a shock transfer, given he just arrived at Manchester City last summer and barely was a factor in their treble.