Liverpool midfielder Fabinho is on his way to Saudi Arabia. The head of Al-Ittihad is also in London, and negotiations between the clubs are at a standstill. A decision is expected by next week, ending his tenure with the club since 2018.
In total, he has scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 219 games for Anfield. He was the core of the Gegenpress, showing his overwhelming ability to win the ball at the bottom of midfield. He will turn 30 this October, but the former Monaco midfielder, who has won Premier League and Champions League titles, has chosen to go to the Middle East.
The question is, who will Liverpool sign as his successor? Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia is at the top of the list, but talks of a move have not developed as the two sides have not been able to come to terms on a transfer fee.
Other candidates have been discussed, including Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucouré, but there is also interest in other midfielders in the Premier League.
According to The Athletic’s Andy Jones, French midfielder Boubacar Camara, who moved to Aston Villa from Marseille last season and made 26 appearances last season, is also in the running to replace the Brazilian midfielder.
Although he was forced to leave the club twice due to injury, he has shown great ability in his first time in the Premier League, with his well-timed defending and excellent ball control. He has also made three appearances for the talented French national team, and was in the reserves for the Euro qualifiers.
His ability to adapt his defensive approach to intense pressing without losing the ball at the bottom of midfield is a quality that would serve him well at Anfield.
He has more drive up front than Fabinho, and his style of play seems closer to a central midfielder than to an anchor man.
The ability to retrieve the ball, build from the back, and physicality are all qualities that different clubs look for in a defensive midfielder.
There is no guarantee that they will go for the same type of player as Fabinho, or that they will acquire a completely different player and try to reincarnate a new team.
Will Liverpool be able to bring in a promising new midfielder to replace the likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who will be leaving for Saudi Arabia?