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 by The Athletic's David 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.
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.
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.
More Liverpool stories
Liverpool transfer news is ramping up ahead of a huge overhaul at Anfield this summer.
Benjamin Pavard of Bayern Munich has been linked, while James Ward-Prowse is said to be on the shortlist. Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga is a target and Khephren Thuram of Nice is said to be close to joining – but Manuel Ugarte is one star who reportedly won't be moving to Merseyside.
Meanwhile, Diogo Jota has told FFT that Liverpool can win the title in 2024.
‘He’ll still be playing at 40 at a good level because he’s in such good shape and looks after himself so well. He does everything to be a top professional’: Ex-Liverpool coach insists Mohamed Salah has plenty more miles in the tank
‘Winning in Tokyo is very dear to my heart. The man of the match got a free car and Phil Neville ran on pretending to drive one! Ryan Giggs had it in the end’: Mark Bosnich looks back at Manchester United's 1999 Intercontinental Cup victory
