Liverpool sign Monaco star midfielder Fabinho after Champions League disappointment

Football, Ligue 1, Premier League 3 Minutes

Liverpool FC has completed the signing of Monaco midfielder Fabinho on a four-year deal for a fee of about £43.7 million. 

Liverpool desperately needed a lift after their Champions League defeat so the timing of this transfer was perfect. Most of the supporters had barely stepped off the plane from Kiev when it was announced that Liverpool had signed Brazil international Fabinho. The 24-year old midfielder will join the Champions League finalists on 1st July for around £39 million, a further £4 million could be added in performance-related bonus payments.

“This is something that I always wanted – this is a giant of a team. The infrastructures of the club look exceptional,” said Fabinho in his interview with @LFCTV. The Brazil International is seen as a replacement for Emre Can, who is out of contract at Anfield and reportedly on his way to Juventus. But the signing also provides a quality, solid midfield base to complement the arrival of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig. 

Fabinho was among the young players who thrilled Europe during Monaco’s 2016/17 title-winning campaign. The Brazilian has since been linked with both Manchester clubs. He has spent spells playing as a right-back but has excelled in defensive midfield just as well. He actually had a quieter season this time around. His form was even criticised around the turn of the year. But it was a similar story with Thomas Lemar and perhaps that was understandable given that the pair had rather been left behind following the sales of Kylian Mbappe, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva.

“He has ability and mentality to play at the highest level in a number of positions. He can play ‘6’, ‘8’ and ‘2’. This is cool.” Klopp explained in the clubs official website. Fabinho has made over 200 appearances for Monaco and played a major role in helping the team win the French league in 2016-17. The 24-year old had to be convinced to switch from the right-back to a midfield position but the move has been a complete success. At 6ft 2inch, he is a real presence and extremely adept at winning aerial duels and should be able to provide good protection for the Liverpool defence. Fabinho is a really strong tackler and prefers to play long balls from the center of the field. Despite helping Monaco to second in Ligue 1 behind champions Paris St-Germain last season, Fabinho did not make Brazil’s 23-man World Cup squad.

“We have signed a fantastic player, but someone who is an equally fantastic person I think…his reputation as a character in the dressing room and his attitude in training has come through from everyone we speak to.” the Liverpool FC manager added.

Even though Liverpool ended their season empty-handed, their progress will be enhanced by such a swift statement of intent in the transfer market. This transfer could be the beginning of a revolution in the Liverpool squad and there is no better way to start it.

 

In Other News

AS Roma have completed the signing of Dinamo Zagreb attacking-midfielder Ante Coric on a five-year deal. The 21-year old Croatian joins the club until June 2023 for an initial £5.2 million fee with a 10 percent selling on fee due.

Borussia Dortmund has signed Marius Wolf from Eintracht Frankfurt on a five-year contract. They activated the 23-year old’s release clause of around £4.50 million.

Published by Jigmee Bhutia

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