Liverpool have reportedly put together a four-player shortlist of potential replacements for Fabinho.
Throughout this week, the Brazilian and fellow long-serving midfielder Jordan Henderson have each been heavily linked with a transfer to Saudi Arabia.
Henderson is said to have already agreed terms to sign for Al-Ettifaq, managed by Steven Gerrard, but the two teams are yet to settle on a fee for the England international.
In recent days, that appeared to be the most likely transfer to materialise, yet the situation has changed with Al-Ittihad seemingly willing to meet Liverpool's demands for Fabinho.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Saudi Pro League champions are prepared to pay £40m to secure the signing of the 29-year-old, with Liverpool expected to accept a deal to part ways with a key man and the player having been left out of the squad for their upcoming pre-season friendlies.
© Reuters
As it stands, it is unclear whether the departure of Fabinho would influence talks involving Henderson, yet Liverpool have reportedly already compiled a shortlist of potential alternatives.
Journalist James Pearce of The Athletic says that the Merseyside giants have identifed four potential replacements for the middle of the pitch.
Southampton's Romeo Lavia, Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat, Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch and Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips are said to have admirers in Jurgen Klopp.
For a number of weeks, Lavia has been heavily linked with a switch to either Arsenal or Liverpool, the latter having already been interested in the Belgium international on the back of three midfielders departing on free transfers.
© Reuters
Amrabat has been linked with several top European clubs ever since starring for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, but Manchester United are currently regarded as the clear frontrunners to complete a deal.
Liverpool were credited with an interest in Gravenberch earlier in the year with the Netherlands international having struggled for game time under each of Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel.
Nevertheless, the former Ajax youngster is now expected to challenge for a first-team role at the Allianz Arena rather than look for regular action elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Phillips has just endured a frustrating first year with Man City, leading to speculation regarding his future, but the England international has publicly insisted that he wishes to remain at the Etihad Stadium.
Darren Plant
