Saudi Pro League transfer for Liverpool midfielder Fabinho in doubt

• Liverpool and Al Ittihad are working on a permanent deal for midfielder Fabinho
• There is however an issue with the payment structure of Al Ittihad’s offer
• The midfielder is expected to return to Liverpool training till the issue is resolved

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is facing uncertainties regarding his proposed £40m transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad. The 29-year-old still has three years remaining on his contract with Liverpool but was allowed to undergo a medical with Al Ittihad, where he could potentially join forces with Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante under the management of former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo. However, the deal has hit a snag as the two clubs have not yet agreed on the payment structure for the transfer fee, causing a delay in finalizing the deal.

Despite the setback, both Liverpool and Al Ittihad are willing to work through the issue. Meanwhile, Fabinho will unexpectedly return to training at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre until a resolution is reached.

Liverpool is also preparing for life after Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, who is also expected to join a Saudi Arabian club, Al Ettifaq, under the leadership of former teammate Steven Gerrard.

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho was expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad but the transfer is currently in doubt. | PHOTO: Goal |

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In their quest to strengthen the squad, Liverpool made an opening offer for Southampton’s midfielder Romeo Lavia, but it was rejected. However, the club intends to return with an improved bid worth more than the initial £35m plus add-ons package they offered. Lavia, a 19-year-old defensive midfielder, is seen as a potential replacement for Fabinho and is highly valued by Southampton at over £50m. Arsenal and Chelsea are also interested in the talented Belgian player.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp recently stated in the club’s official podcast that his main focus is on training sessions, but they are actively working on signings and preparing for the new season. He acknowledged that there are still a few weeks left until the start of the season and that further activity in the transfer market is expected to bolster the team.

Liverpool has already made some signings, bringing in Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig. The departures of experienced midfielders Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner on free transfers, along with the proposed exits of Fabinho and Henderson, indicate a significant changing of the guard in Liverpool’s midfield.