Fabinho is reportedly “on the verge” of leaving Liverpool for Al-Ittihad and will undergo his medical soon.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Fabinho is closing in on a move away from Liverpool, with a switch to Al-Ittihad on the horizon. The paperwork that caused the initial delays must still be checked and ratified, though there are not expected to be any issues moving forward, with the Brazilian set to undergo a medical soon.
Liverpool had been in the middle of a huge midfield rebuild after Jurgen Klopp let go of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner as free agents, bringing in Alex Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
However, the Saudi Arabian interest in Jordan Henderson and Fabinho has prompted the Reds to once again reassess their options, as they have already bid farewell to their club captain and are preparing to do the same with the Brazilian midfielder.
Fabinho’s move to Al-Ittihad has been in the works in recent weeks, and he looked set to have departed Anfield alongside Henderson; however, delays to the deal meant he returned to Merseyside for training this week.
Understand Al Ittihad and Liverpool are closing in on Fabinho deal. Agreement on verge of being completed 🔴🇸🇦#LFC still cautious as documents have to be checked but it’s v close.
Fabinho will undergo medical soon, if all goes to plan. Three year deal agreed with the player. pic.twitter.com/V5kz7lMRuz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 28, 2023
However, the 29-year-old has been left out of Liverpool’s second pre-season tour of the summer, missing the 27-man squad that has flown to Singapore for games against Leicester City and Bayern Munich, having previously missed out on the pre-season camp in Germany.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein recently reported that the stall is understood to revolve around the documentation in the deal. However, according to the latest update from Fabrizio Romano, it is all smooth sailing ahead, and the midfielder, who joined Liverpool for £39 million, will be scheduled for medical tests if all goes to plan.
Fabinho will sign a three-year deal with Al-Ittihad, though just how much he will net in mammoth wages is yet to be revealed. The Reds will incredibly recoup £40 million, as per the Athletic, which is a sizeable sum for a 29-year-old who was perhaps the most surprisingly underwhelming performer in the middle of the park last term.
Liverpool initially invested £39 million when signing Fabinho from AS Monaco back in 2018. That means they will almost break even on the midfielder, who, if last season is any indication, displayed an alarming drop-off in athleticism, with his ability to cover the hard yards and screen the back four seemingly nonexistent for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Also Read: ‘O Captain my Captain’ – Jordan Henderson: The enduring legacy of a modern Liverpool Legend
The Reds’ full focus will now be on finding a suitable successor, having had several bids rejected for top target Romeo Lavia. As far as Fabinho deal is concerned, all parties are confident they can get the deal across the line this weekend.
