Bayern Munich ready to hijack Liverpool star's Saudi transfer

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 21 Jul 2023 19:27 BST
• 3 min read

Bayern Munich are ready to pounce if Fabinho's move from Liverpool to Al-Ittihad falls through, according to Sky Sports Germany.

Fabinho hasn't travelled to Liverpool's pre-season trip to - ironically enough - Germany, as he closes on a €40 million move to Al-Ittihad, where he would team up with Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema and French World Cup winner N'Golo Kante, among others.

It is understood the Brazilian defensive midfielder and Saudi Pro League club have already settled on personal terms, but Liverpool and Al-Ittihad still need to agree on the structure of his transfer fee.

READ: Liverpool eye Premier League star to replace Henderson and Fabinho

Al-Ittihad remain favourites to sign Fabinho, with Jordan Henderson and potentially Luis Diaz also set to make the move from Anfield to the Middle East, but Bayern are waiting in the wings if the deal falls through.

'Bayern monitoring Fabinho's situation'

"Bayern are monitoring Fabinho's situation closely," reports Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg. "Fabinho is close to joining Al-Ittihad and Bayern is aware of that, but if a deal falls through he would be interesting to them.

"He fits the profile [they are looking for]. [Bayern] bosses have a great relationship with his agent, Jorge Mendes."

READ: Saudi Arabia to offer €50m for ANOTHER Liverpool star

Bayern have been linked with a host of defensive midfielders this summer as Thomas Tuchel looks to sign a player who could allow Joshua Kimmich to dictated play from a more advanced position. As a result, they will listen to offers for Leon Goretzka.

The record German champions are also closing on the signing of Kyle Walker from Manchester City, and hope the England right-back's presence could help them persuade Harry Kane to join them from Tottenham Hotspur.

Henderson is set to be reunited with Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq after the clubs agreed a fee of £12m plus add-ons for the England midfielder. Al-Hilal have bid €50m for Diaz, meanwhile, but the Colombia winger remains part of Jurgen Klopp's long-term plans.