Fabinho is now set to leave Liverpool as he has agreed to join Saudi club Al Ittihad.
The 29-year-old did not travel to Germany with Liverpool for the pre-season camp this week. With a transfer hanging over him, it appears to be the last we’ve seen of Fabinho.
According to Brazilian broadcaster Globo, this is now largely the case. They claim that Fabinho is set to join Al Ittihad as he has fully contracted with them. The Brazilian international is only waiting for his new club to finalize negotiations with Liverpool and everything will be sealed.
As reported elsewhere, Globo also claim the transfer fee will be around £40m.
Fabinho is set to leave Liverpool
It seems only a matter of time before we see official announcements from Liverpool regarding Fabinho’s exit. It marks the end of an excellent five-year career at Anfield during which the ex-Monegasque won everything.
And while it’s sad that he’s gone, it feels like the time has come for everyone. Of course, it would have been better to see him continue at the top European level. Despite his decline last season, we still think Fabinho still has a lot to offer.
With new legs, there was hope that things could stay that way at Liverpool. In fact, it doesn’t look like Jurgen Klopp was actively trying to replace Fab this summer. Perhaps the manager harbored hopes that his defensive midfielder could still be the ‘exceptional’ player he once was for BBC Sport. But in the end, the Reds’ No.3 will join Al Ittiahd where he will forge a midfield partnership with N’Golo Kante.
Two, three or four years ago, this would have been a devastating midfield duo any top club could dream of. But with Kante oft-injured and Fabinho seemingly on the decline, things don’t look so impressive anymore.
That will not be Liverpool’s concern, however. Instead, they need to make sure they reinvest that unexpected £40m cash boost as wisely and quickly as possible.
