Transfer Centre

Al-Ittihad to make £40m bid for Liverpool's Fabinho?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 13 July 2023

Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad are reportedly preparing to make a £40m bid for Liverpool lynchpin Fabinho, whose contract at Anfield runs for another three years.

Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad are reportedly preparing to make a £40m offer for Liverpool midfielder Fabinho.

The Brazil international's form noticeably declined in the 2022-23 season as Liverpool missed out on a spot in the Champions League with a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League.

Fabinho came up with two assists in 49 appearances for the Reds last term and still started 31 Premier League games despite his downturn in fortunes, but he was briefly overshadowed by the emergence of Stefan Bajcetic.

Fabinho's contract with Liverpool has another three years left to run, although it was previously reported that the 29-year-old's long-term future on Merseyside was in doubt.

Those claims were shot down by Fabinho's wife, who responded to such a transfer story on Instagram with a crying laughter emoji, but according to The Athletic, Saudi giants Al-Ittihad are ready to test Liverpool's resolve.

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus in action with Liverpool's Fabinho on April 9, 2023 © Reuters

The report states that the Reds are bracing themselves to receive a £40m offer from Nuno Espirito Santo's side, who have already signed ex-Chelsea man N'Golo Kante on a free transfer this summer.

Al-Ittihad reportedly expect a decision to be made quickly, whether it be a rejection of their bid or an agreement, but the latter hinges on Liverpool bringing in a new number six.

The Reds have already captured Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer, but the duo are set to play in more advanced roles for Jurgen Klopp's team.

A deal for Nice's Khephren Thuram now appears to be off the cards as well, but Liverpool are believed to be monitoring Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia, who is expected to depart St Mary's this summer.

The Saints are believed to value the Belgian teenager at £50m, and Manchester City do possess a buyback clause, but they cannot trigger it until the summer of 2024.

Fabinho warms up for Liverpool in April 2021 © Reuters

Man City are still said to be keeping a close eye on the situation, while Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with a move but have other priorities at this moment in time.

Fabinho formed a part of Monaco's 2016-17 Ligue 1-winning team before transferring to Liverpool in 2018, where he has come up with 11 goals and 10 assists in 219 matches.

The Brazilian has won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup and Community Shield at Anfield, where a host of midfielders have already departed this summer.

Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner were all allowed to run down their contracts, while Fabio Carvalho has joined RB Leipzig on a season-long loan.

Captain Jordan Henderson is also thought to be of interest to Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq, and the Englishman has supposedly reached a verbal agreement to join the Saudi Pro League side, who are yet to agree a fee with Liverpool.