Neil Jones claims that Liverpool is looking to replace Fabinho with Florentino Luis. For as little as £25 million, the 23-year-old Portuguese midfielder may leave Benfica. Jurgen Klopp is looking for a replacement that combines experience and young.
Florentino Luis, who has played 86 times for Benfica, has the ideal combination of experience. He has established himself as a pillar of that team and is coming off a championship-winning season. Despite losing his crucial midfield partner Enzo Fernandez in January, he continued to shine for that team.
Some of the major teams had him on their radar, and Benfica was willing to consider bids given the burgeoning interest. Although no clubs have made offers for the 23-year-old, his asking price of £25 million appears to be significantly less than the contract’s release clause.
That could have been a factor in Liverpool’s decision to pursue the defensive midfielder. After bringing in Dominik Szoboszlai, Jurgen Klopp reportedly chose not to bring in any other midfielders. The German tactician has had to reenter the market for more than two players due to the plethora of changes that have occurred since.
Jordan Henderson, the captain, might depart for Al-Ittifaq after receiving a significant offer recently. The midfielder Fabinho was then the subject of intense interest from fellow Saudi team Al-Ittihad. They are prepared to pay £40 million for the Brazilian enforcer, who is eager to transfer.
Due to his exclusion from the traveling preseason squad, Liverpool is also willing to let him go. Klopp must thus find a replacement for Henderson and possibly Fabinho. Romeo Lavia has been a target for a while, but given his youth and exorbitant cost, Klopp may lose interest.
Another target, Moises Caicedo, has emerged, but Brighton’s demand might derail a trade at first. Consequently, Luis appeals to Klopp because he may become available at a lower cost and has the ideal combination of youth and experience.
Liverpool will probably start making offers shortly, but the question of how serious they are about the move still remains. Lavia is still an option, but only if Southampton drops their current £50 million asking price.
