According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are to continue their summer transfer window midfield overhaul, as another star looks set to join Naby Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner in exiting Anfield this summer. The Reds have so far completed deals to bring in Alexis McAllister from Brighton and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig to refresh an ageing midfield that struggled last season, leading to the club finishing 5th and missing out on Champions League football.
Liverpool Close in on Sale of Key Midfielder
Last Word on Football look at why Romeo Lavia is the perfect Liverpool player:
How Liverpool Have Overhauled Their Midfield This Summer
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool identified early in the transfer window that Alexis McAllister was the ideal player to provide their ageing midfield with fresh energy and impetus. The Argentinian World Cup winner had an impressive season for Brighton and can play either the six or eight role. This will provide the manager with versatility in his options this coming season. McAllister contributed ten Premier League goals last season, more than the entire Liverpool midfield managed (4). His energy was also on show as he starred for his country in their successful winning World Cup campaign.
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There is excitement around the second midfield addition, as Szoboszlai, still only 22, has been a vital figure for both RB Leipzig and Hungary over the past couple of seasons. He scored six league goals for the German side in the Bundesliga last season, and his all-round game is excellent. These signings indicate that Liverpool have identified that they need more of an attacking sense from their midfield, a move away from the industrial energy-providing make-up of the middle three in recent times.
Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Keita did not renew their contracts, and all have moved on. There are reports that Jordan Henderson is on the verge of sealing a move to Saudi Arabia, with Romeo Lavia a target according to reports.
Saudi Target Another Anfield Midfielder
According to Fabrizio Romano, Brazil international Fabinho has agreed personal terms on a move to Al Ittihad. The holding midfielder had a tough season for the club last year, leading many Liverpool fans to wonder if his best days are behind him, and he has been linked with a transfer since the window opened. The 29-year-old has been a mainstay in the six role for the club since the 2018/19 campaign.
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Fabinho displayed little weakness in his game until last season. However, he does seem to have lost a bit of the energy required when closing down opposition midfielders, and the high defensive line has suffered as a result. The emergence of Stefan Bajcetic and the reports around the interest in Southampton’s Lavia has seen Fabinho become surplus to requirements.
Liverpool Looking to Recoup Fee for Brazil International
Sky Sports have reported that Liverpool have received a transfer bid of £40 million for Fabinho, and this would represent good business for them and the defensive midfield, as it seems the club have managed to get the best years out of him. Fabinho signed for a fee of £43.7 million in 2018.
A move to Saudi will give him the chance to play under former Wolves and Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo. N’Golo Kante has also joined on a deal to the Saudi club this summer and might be Fabinho’s midfield partner if the move does go through. Karim Benzema and former Celtic winger Jota have also moved to Saudi Arabia.
Main image credit: Cchana, CC BY-SA 2.0.
