Liverpool could sell both Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia for a combined £50m, with Jurgen Klopp building for the future
(Image credit: Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Liverpool could end up selling Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the Saudi Pro League.
Not only that but the Reds could end up making £50 million from the pair leaving – giving Jurgen Klopp more money to spend in the transfer market. As reported byThe Athletic'sDavid Ornstein, England international Henderson is seriously considering a move to play for the man he replaced as Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard.
But now, Ornstein has reported that Al Ittihad are also in the market for another Merseyside midfielder and are prepared to offer £40m for Fabinho, to play alongside N'Golo Kante in the centre of the pitch.
Fabinho is the latest star of Europe to be targeted by the Middle East (Image credit: James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
The offer presents a huge dilemma to Klopp. On the one hand, Fabinho is coming off the back of a poor campaign as Liverpool's primary No.6 and is set to turn 30 next season. The club are unlikely to receive another chance to recoup the £40m they paid Monaco for the Brazilian in 2018.
But equally, Anfield has already waved goodbye to three midfielders this summer in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita – Henderson may make it four. To let five senior players in that position all depart would be unprecedented – especially with such combined experience. With Thiago Alcantara a rumoured target, too, the look of the squad could change significantly this season.
Liverpool are said to be working on moves for new midfield talent, however. Romeo Lavia of Southampton is a serious target, valued at £40m, who could replace Fabinho like-for-like in terms of fee and position.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have both joined this summer but it's probable that the Reds would need even more firepower in midfield, with just Stefan Bajcetic, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones as other options in that position.
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Dominik Szoboszlai has bolstered Liverpool's midfield (Image credit: Getty Images)
On top of midfield incomings, Klopp is also said to want another left-sided centre-back this summer.
Fabinho is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth €42m.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
