Florentino Luis could be Liverpool’s Claude Makelele if Fabinho joins Al Ittihad
So, just like that, it appears Liverpool will be in the market for a ready-made Fabinho replacement this summer as the Brazilian edges closer to a move away from Anfield.
Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad have lodged an offer of £40m for Fabinho and a decision has been taken by that it would be best for the midfielder to be omitted from the Reds’ 32-man squad heading to Germany for 10 days of pre-season.
With the future of captain Jordan Henderson also uncertain, plenty of names have been linked with joining new boys Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the Liverpool engine room ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The ECHO understands that Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch were previously eyed as long-term replacements for Fabinho. However, if a deal for the 29-year-old is to be sanctioned this summer, the Reds will be made to target a ready-made alternate, with the likes of Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips and Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat also back in the reckoning alongside Joao Palhinha of Fulham.
But another midfielder that has been linked with Liverpool has been Benfica and Portugal youth international Florentino Luis. And the ECHO has profiled the 23-year-old.
Liverpool supporters have spotted a cryptic hint linking midfielder Florentino Luis with a summer transfer to Anfield.
The club’s midfield rebuild this summer took another fresh twist when it was revealed the Reds were mulling over a bid believed to be in the range of £40m for Brazilian Fabinho, the defensive midfielder that has been so integral in recent trophy-winning campaigns.
He was left out of the squad Jurgen Klopp has taken to Germany to continue pre-season preparations, and it now only seems a matter of time before the 29-year-old completes a switch to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad.
This departure in particular would cut deep, as although Klopp has other players to call upon that can plug the hole left by Fabinho, none have demonstrated the same prowess in hoovering up play and starting counter attacks since his arrival.