Liverpool are reportedly leading the race to sign Fulham’s teenage prodigy Fabio Carvalho, who is also a transfer target for Real Madrid and several other top clubs.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are set to win the transfer battle for the signing of 19-year-old Fulham whizkid Fabio Carvalho, who is also a transfer target for Real Madrid, among other clubs.
Carvahlo started at the academy of SL Benfica in Portugal and spent three years there before moving to England in 2013 when he joined the Fulham youth setup. The teenager enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks at the London club before making his debut for the Cottagers in January earlier this year.
This term, Carvalho became a regular in the first team and started the season on a strong note before an injury sidelined him for a considerable period. The versatile attacking midfielder has made seven appearances in the EFL Championship, scoring three goals and setting up another.
The youngster’s contract with the London outfit runs out at the end of the season, which has sparked a flurry of interest in his services. A number of top clubs in Europe are looking at the former England Under-18 international, with the likes of West Ham United, Leeds United all being linked while Liverpool and Real Madrid have also shown a keenness to sign him.
The interest from Real Madrid does not come as a surprise considering that president Florentino Perez has recently turned the focus towards strengthening the club’s youth ranks so that the Merengues can produce stars for the next generation from within the club. This has led to an interest in several young talents with potential in Europe and South America, with Carvalho also emerging as one such target.
However, as per the report, it is Liverpool who have emerged as the frontrunners to sign the 19-year-old. The Reds have also shown a keen focus on recruiting promising young domestic talent of late, as seen with their recruitment of Harvey Elliott, Kaide Gordon, among others. They have recently been with a move for Manchester City starlet James McAtee, with Carvalho also a player of similar profile.
Fulham, however, remain hopeful of tying him down to a new contract. A club source told TEAMtalk: “The club is desperate to keep hold of Fabio and they are hopeful. But they realise he knows of the interest in him and it won’t be easy.”
So, as things stand, Liverpool are believed to be the best-placed club to sign Carvalho, although Real Madrid will not give in easily. In addition, clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton are also in the running while European outfits Benfica, Porto, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund also lurk. What remains to be seen is if the Reds are successful in their pursuit of the 19-year-old prospect.
