Revealed: Liverpool identify Man City OUTCAST as Fabinho replacement

Cameron Smith

• 16 Jul 2023 19:20 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool are reportedly set to pursue Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips in response to Fabinho’s imminent €47 million (£40m) move to Saudi Arabia.

Fabinho, 29, has been given the green light to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad, who are set to make the Brazilian their fourth high-profile signing of the summer after landing Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Jota.

He has not travelled with the first-team squad to Germany in order to complete his medical and finalise the move.

MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

With the former AS Monaco star set to depart Anfield in the coming days, Liverpool have begun drawing up a contingency plan for his impending exit.

Jordan Henderson could also end up leaving Liverpool this summer after he was the subject of a €816,000 (£750,000) weekly wage offer from Al-Ettifaq, who are coached by Reds legend Steven Gerrard.

If both players end up leaving, then Liverpool will have lost five members of their midfield following the free transfer departures of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

MORE: Liverpool have ideal Fabinho replacement - and it's not Lavia

As a result, they are pursuing a more defensive presence to replace Fabinho. According to Sky Sports, both Sofyan Amrabat and Ryan Gravenberch have been looked at, while Man City’s Phillips is also a name that is under consideration at Anfield.

Phillips to Liverpool?

The Merseyside outfit were linked with a move for Phillips when he was at Leeds United, but Liverpool rejected the chance to sign him, which paved the way for his move to Man City.

However, the England international struggled at the Etihad Stadium last season and made just 12 Premier League appearances all year, with only two coming from the start.

As a result, he has been linked with a move away just one year after joining. But, their failed pursuit of Declan Rice may mean Phillips is kept in order to ensure a back-up option to Rodri remains in the squad.

Despite this, Liverpool are reportedly considering presenting a formal offer to Man City in an attempt to lure Phillips to Anfield this summer.