Liverpool are prepared for a crucial period with talks over the sale of both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson fast approaching, says Fabrizio Romano.
The Reds finished a disappointing 2022/23 season finishing fifth, and will miss out on Champions League football for the first time since 2016.
Now in a bid to address their deficiencies last season, Jurgen Klopp is tearing a swath through their midfield line-up.
James Milner, Naby Keita, Arthur Melo and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all exited at the end of the season. And while both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai signed for a combined £95m, the Reds are yet to complete the revamp.
However, before any deals come in, Liverpool will look to boost their financial capabilities by offloading two experienced stars first.
Indeed, Brazil star Fabinho has been in talks with Saudi side All-Ittihad.
And providing an update on Sunday, Romano claims an agreement is edging closer.
“It’s important to stress many things are happening around Liverpool in terms of midfield. This is a really crucial moment. It’s a revolution,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“They signed Mac Allister, they signed Domink Szoboszlai, but now in terms of Fabinho and Al-Ittihad the agreement is done on the side of the player.
“Now it is under discussion with Liverpool and Al-Ittihad. Liverpool are waiting the official documents to check details of the payments. They are still very cautious on the sale. But the decision is very advanced and it is underway. Al-Ittihad are getting closer to Fabinho.”
The transfer will see Fabinho team up with N’Golo Kante in midfield, with Karim Benzema in attack.
Discussing the potential move further, Romano further stated: “Fabinho said ‘yes’ to Al-Ittihad. He had a conversation with the manager, Nuno [Espirit Santo], who really wants him. Now it’s crucial for the two clubs to reach an agreement for Fabinho to become an Al-Ittihad player.”
With a fee of £40m on the table, Liverpool are giving the green light to the sale of 29-year-old star.
He has been virtually ever-present since a £39m switch in May 2018. But the chance to get their money back on a player who performed below expectation last season, is deemed too good an opportunity for Liverpool to turn down.
Furthermore, it will also help Klopp further strengthen his midfield amid claims Sofyan Amrabat is now emerging as their top target again.
Another Liverpool midfielder also nearing the Anfield exit door is Jordan Henderson.
Henderson has emerged as a top target for another Saudi side in Al Ettifaq, whose manager is Reds legend Steven Gerrard.
And while they had hoped to sign the veteran star on a free, Liverpool have since hit back with a £10m price on the 33-year-old.
Providing an update, Romano has suggested there is a higher chance the move will soon go through.
“So, Al-Ittihad are getting closer to Fabinho, while Al Ettifaq are getting closer to Henderson. They now have to decide how to proceed in terms of the fee for Jordan Henderson, because they wanted the player for free.
“But Liverpool, that is impossible for Liverpool to let him go for free. But he has already agreed a three-year deal with Al Ettifaq, so it now depends on Liverpool.
“So, it will now be a crucial week for outgoings for Liverpool. In any case – and it does not depend on Henderson and Fabinho – Liverpool will sign at least an extra midfielder.”
The sale of both players will give Klopp a somewhat unexpected £50m transfer windfall. And that will give Klopp the funds to pursue the acquisition of a new No 6 for the Reds.
Southampton’s Romeo Lavia is believed to be a potential candidate, though the Championship side’s £50m valuation looks prohibitive.
As an alternative, Klopp is prepared to gazump Manchester United to a Serie A star instead.
