As reported by Al-Ittihad’s Twitter handle, the Saudi Arabian club have officially announced the signing of midfielder Fabinho, confirming his departure from Liverpool.
Initially, there were concerns about the move’. However, those concerns were put to rest when Fabinho was excluded from Liverpool’s pre-season squad heading to Singapore last week, indicating his move to Saudi Arabia to be completed.
The Reds have reportedly agreed to sell midfielder Fabinho to Al-Ittihad for a fee of £40 million.
This means that the English giants are parting ways with the 29-year-old for just £3.7 million less than what they originally bought him for in 2018 (£43.7 million from AS Monaco).
🐅 النمور مسموح لها العبور ⛓#صيفية_العميد pic.twitter.com/v5Dvgz6SgX
— نادي الاتحاد السعودي (@ittihad) July 31, 2023
Fabinho spent five successful years at Liverpool, winning every possible trophy during his time with the club.
Despite having a slightly underwhelming last season, the Brazilian star will be remembered as a Liverpool legend for generations to come. He played a crucial role in his team’s triumphs in the Champions League and the Premier League.
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His best performances came between the second half of the 2018/19 season and the end of the 2019/20 season, during which he played outstanding football in a red shirt.
During the 2021/22 season, signs of decline were evident in the player’s performance, although he still managed to deliver in crucial moments. However, things took a downward turn last year, leading to the need for a decision about his future.
From a financial standpoint, Liverpool’s decision to sell the player is considered excellent business. The money from the deal can be utilized to potentially secure the signing of Romeo Lavia and strengthen the defensive midfield department with one or two more additions.
This summer, Fabinho becomes the third Liverpool player to depart for Saudi Arabia, with Jordan Henderson being the second and Roberto Firmino being the first.
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Both midfielders were showing signs of decline, and the club has managed to recoup a combined £52 million from their sales (£12 million from Henderson’s transfer).
Now, the focus is on utilizing the money wisely to sign experienced and established midfielders who can seamlessly fit into the starting XI, rather than solely relying on young prospects.
