Liverpool may have given up on the perfect replacement for Fabinho.
Liverpool appear to have lost an ideal replacement for Fabinho with the midfielder heading to Saudi Arabia.
The Brazilian ends a five-year stay at Anfield by sealing a £40m transfer to Al-Ittihad, the reigning Saudi Pro League champions who also signed Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Jota this summer.
Liverpool had no plans to lose Fabinho in the current transfer window, as the player’s contract doesn’t expire until 2026. But a £40m fee was too good to turn down. The Reds paid the same amount to sign him from Monaco in 2018.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side appeared to be in need of a new defensive midfielder earlier this summer, although Fabinho was set to stay. Still, they didn’t make a move for Manuel Ugarte earlier this summer.
It was a missed opportunity given their scouting skills in Portugal and their alleged interest in the player. The fierce Uruguayan, who was also popular at Chelsea, moved to Paris Saint-Germain for £52million thanks to a release clause in his Sporting contract.
At just 22, Ugarte could have been an ideal long-term successor to Fabinho. The South American is not only a brilliant tackler, but he also has excellent ball control, both passing and carrying forward. Already a very versatile defensive midfielder due to his technical and physical qualities, he has the potential to be among the best in the world.
Ultimately, Liverpool were unlucky with the timing of Fabinho’s departure. Had it been clear at the start of the window that he was leaving, they might have developed an interest in Ugarte. Still, it seemed obvious after last season that a new No.6 was needed on Merseyside to compete with the Brazil international.
With Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson both traveling to the Middle East, Liverpool now need at least two more midfielders, having already signed Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, Fulham’s Joao Palhinha – formerly at Sporting before last summer – and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat are some of the defensive options on their shortlist. Aurelien Tchouameni has long been admired by Real Madrid but the Frenchman is unlikely to leave the La Liga giants who beat Liverpool a year ago when he signed.
Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucour is another new option, but the Malian could cost £70million. Meanwhile, Liverpool have reportedly opened talks with Southampton over the £50million Lavia talent, although the Saints’ asking price is too high for Klopp and Co.
No matter who they end up signing, some may wish Ugarte was among their new arrivals. Everything about the Uruguay international suggests he would have been a resounding success under Klopp.
