Title: Liverpool Midfielder Fabinho Left Out of Training Camp Amidst £40m Saudi Bid
Subtitle: Jordan Henderson’s Future Remains Uncertain as Talks Continue
Liverpool’s pre-season training camp in Germany has taken an unexpected turn as Fabinho, the Brazilian international midfielder, has been excluded from the squad. This decision comes after Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad made a staggering £40 million ($52 million) bid for the 29-year-old.
Despite missing out on the training camp, Fabinho did not refuse to travel. He expressed a strong desire to join the Saudi club after successful discussions concerning personal terms. Having made 219 appearances for Liverpool since his arrival from Monaco in 2018, Fabinho seems ready for a new challenge.
If the deal goes through, Liverpool will intensify their search for a new holding midfielder to fill the void left by Fabinho. However, the Merseyside club considers Southampton’s Romeo Lavia’s £50 million price tag excessive, prompting them to reassess their options.
Liverpool had initially been focused on finding a long-term successor to Fabinho, but his departure has forced them to consider players who can seamlessly integrate into Jurgen Klopp’s side. A potential new addition could come from Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat, Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch, or Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips, along with Lavia.
Meanwhile, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson boarded the plane to the Black Forest in Germany. Talks about his future are ongoing, as the midfielder has reportedly agreed to join Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia on a lucrative three-year deal worth approximately £700,000 ($917,000) per week. However, no agreement has been reached between the clubs regarding a transfer fee.
Rumors suggesting Henderson could be granted a free transfer or sold for as low as £10 million have been dismissed by senior figures at Anfield. Liverpool refers to defender Kalidou Koulibaly’s move from Chelsea to Al Hilal for approximately £20 million as a reference point for any potential transfer.
The situation surrounding Fabinho’s potential departure and Henderson’s uncertain future has added layers of complexity to Liverpool’s preparations for the upcoming season. The club will now have to swiftly adapt their pursuit of a new midfielder and find a balance within the team to ensure continued success.
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