In a surprising turn of events, the football world was left stunned as reports emerged of Jordan Henderson’s contemplation of a potential move to Saudi Arabia. However, the shockwaves continued to reverberate, with news now surfacing of another midfielder, Fabinho, being targeted by clubs from the region.
The highly regarded journalist, David Ornstein of The Athletic, renowned for his deep connections within the football industry, shed light on the possibility of Henderson joining forces with Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq. However, Ornstein’s latest revelation suggests that Fabinho is now the subject of a £40 million bid.
Al Ittihad, the club rumored to be interested in securing Fabinho’s services, seems poised to swiftly make their move, leaving us to wonder about the outcome of this intriguing saga. With three years still remaining on his current contract, Fabinho’s stature within Jurgen Klopp’s midfield has been undisputed, despite a somewhat lackluster performance last season. Thus, it is only logical to expect that Liverpool would demand a fee exceeding the reported £40 million.
Given Fabinho’s crucial role as the sole specialist defensive midfielder in the team, it is highly improbable that Liverpool would allow the esteemed No. 3 to depart without securing a suitable replacement. Ornstein himself has mentioned Romeo Lavia of Southampton as a potential candidate, though acquiring his services would come at a heftier cost, estimated at around £50 million.
This unprecedented twist, combined with the ongoing Henderson saga, presents a perplexing situation for Liverpool. While it is no secret that the midfield has been in dire need of rebuilding, the prospect of losing two experienced players simultaneously is nothing short of extraordinary.
Liverpool has already bid farewell to James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Although the latter two were considered fringe players, their departures, alongside the potential exits of Fabinho and Henderson, would mark a significant summer overhaul just weeks before the commencement of the new season.
Interestingly, Al Ittihad, the club expressing interest in Fabinho, has already secured the signings of notable players like Jota, Karim Benzema, and N’Golo Kante this summer. The Saudi Pro League’s relentless pursuit of European talent continues to gather momentum, much to the chagrin of the respective clubs.
Under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo, the former boss of Wolves, Al Ittihad possesses an intriguing connection with Fabinho. The duo briefly crossed paths during their time at Rio Ave in 2012, adding another layer of intrigue to this unfolding narrative.
During the previous season, Fabinho emerged as the second-most utilized player in the Liverpool squad, featuring in 40 out of 52 games across all competitions. Such prominence highlights his indispensability and underscores the potential void his departure would create within the team.
The footballing world now eagerly awaits the resolution of these intricate transfer proceedings, as the final chapters of this captivating story are set to unfold.
