This summer, Liverpool intends to pursue a different midfielder while negotiations with Al Ittihad on the transfer of Fabinho continue.
The Brazilian is expected to quit Anfield after five years with the Reds as Jurgen Klopp’s midfield gets a new look.
For Jorg Schmadtke and his hiring team, the entrance of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai from Brighton and Leipzig, respectively, presents a different problem than Fabinho’s departure does.
The search for a new number six who can seamlessly integrate into Liverpool’s midfield won’t be easy. So, for whom should they sign? Our writers share their thoughts.
Palhinha wouldn’t require a lot of convincing, I’m sure.
Ian Doyle: It’s possible that Liverpool thought they had found a solution to their main midfield problem in time for the start of preseason, and any extra additions would have been seen as a bit of forward planning.
But now that Fabinho might be lost, everything has altered. The Reds are now faced with a simple choice: do they stick to the plan and hunt for a long-term replacement, or do they pursue a more immediate alternative?
Romeo Lavia, a target who Southampton may be willing to part with, may help them achieve both objectives, but it would be a lot to ask of a 19-year-old with limited Premier League experience.
The Reds will still be interested in Lavia or a player with a comparable profile, but if they choose to go with a more seasoned acquisition, they would be wise to seek Fulham’s Joao Palhinha.
After moving to Craven Cottage last year, the Portuguese international undoubtedly made a significant impact, setting the tone with his performance in the 2-2 home draw with Liverpool on the opening day. He has sufficient experience at the highest level.
He has primarily played defensive midfield throughout his career, and his statistics show that he is more than simply a reliable worker for the Reds.
Palhinha’s age (he turned 28 this week) and the fact that Fulham would expect a high fee for his services after turning down a £45 million deal from West Ham on Monday are the problems, of course. But if Liverpool can outbid the Hammers with a little higher offer, Palhinha wouldn’t need much convincing to join them.
Be bold and sign. Luis Florentino
It was never going to be simple for Liverpool to turn down £40 million for Fabinho, but Jorg Schmadtke will undoubtedly be put to the test.
The Brazilian is a seasoned player who will be challenging to replace and plays an unorthodox position for Liverpool.
When they do move, defensive midfielders usually fetch big salaries since they are hard to find. Look at Declan Rice or Enzo Fernandez; both athletes recently earned over £100 million in wages. Casemiro cost Manchester United £70 million when he signed with them last summer. He was thirty at the time.
It means that Liverpool won’t be able to afford Fabinho’s replacement. Even brand names like Romeo Lavia and Palhinha come with high price tags.
I would thus like to see Liverpool make a big splash and sign a great talent, even if it costs them a lot of money. Because they have set aside £40 million for Fabinho, the Reds should select a player like Florentino Luis, whose salary will be off the books.
The young Portuguese player is among the best in his position for tackles, interceptions, and long-distance pass completion rate, and he seems destined to be the next exciting prospect to emerge from Benfica.
He wouldn’t be cheap, even if Liverpool could reduce his £103 million release clause, but he’d be an intriguing long-term replacement for Fabinho.
“A respectable alternative is Ibrahim Sangare.”
Ste Killen: If Liverpool was thinking about adding a third player this summer, they need to focus only on that person right now.
A problem exists because Fabinho, an important part of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, is about to go. Even before it was apparent that Al Ittihad had a genuine interest in the Brazilian, the former Monaco man needed support. He must now be entirely replaced.
The trouble is that there aren’t many defensive midfielders out there, and what’s worse is that none of them are as talented as Fabinho and simultaneously accessible. Liverpool must now, however, take action.
Southampton’s Romeo Lavia has attracted interest throughout the summer window, and as a stand-in for the 29-year-old, he is a wise decision. But given his lack of professional experience, there are questions over whether he will be able to establish himself as a reliable starter for Liverpool once the season begins in August.
Ibrahim Sangare has been linked to Liverpool and a transfer to the Premier League in recent years. This summer, Nottingham Forest was one of the teams making a move for the PSV Eindhoven midfielder.
Given the importance of the position, Liverpool may want to consider a 25-year-old with more than 130 Eredivisie appearances, 199 of which were as a defensive midfielder.
Apparently, Forest has already gotten in touch with the Dutch team regarding the £30 million midfielder. In the current market for expensive midfielders, it would be foolish to pass up the opportunity to buy a player with his caliber of experience for less than £50 million.