Over the course of the weekend, one of the top holding midfielders on the continent switched teams. Declan Rice was persuaded to transfer to the Emirates Stadium by Arsenal after several weeks of negotiations, and the English star had been signed for a record-breaking sum.
The 24-year-old will represent the Gunners in the upcoming election, and given his consistent development over the years, it is safe to assume that he will continue to hold down the fort for Mikel Arteta’s team on a regular basis for the remainder of his playing days. Due to a hole that has recently appeared in Jürgen Klopp’s squad, the high-profile transfer is important to Liverpool.
Before Fabinho was abruptly predicted to move to Saudi Arabia (according to Football Insider), everything appeared to be quiet on Merseyside. The fact that the South American hasn’t been himself over the past year and that his prime years of performance are likely behind him at age 29 may help to explain why the Reds are considering selling him.
Ever since Liverpool bought Fabinho from AS Monaco in 2018, he has been the team’s top holding midfielder. With the exception of his Ligue 1 victory in 2016–17, the Brazilian international was 24 years old at the time and had never before felt what it was like to win a trophy at the highest level of the game.
He was effectively the Reds’ bet that he would be the one to improve Klopp’s engine room, and he didn’t take long to pay off that bet. Although Fabinho has been a superb employee at Anfield and a major contributor to Liverpool’s recent success, it now appears that his Premier League playing days are numbered.
In order to find a worthy successor to his throne, Klopp is currently searching. Given his increasing prominence at West Ham United, Rice would have been the ideal choice, but Arsenal already had him. It is unclear who Liverpool will seek, but Edson Alvarez is an intriguing possibility that may be worthwhile to investigate.
The Ajax midfielder is comparable to Fabinho, who moved to England five years ago, in many ways. Although he has positioned himself as a stopper of opposition assaults, he is mostly concerned with the defensive aspect of the game. However, it is also important to note that he plays a significant role in possession.
Alvarez actually had the highest touch average per 90 minutes in the Eredivisie last season. With a probable trade to Borussia Dortmund falling through earlier this summer, the Mexican midfielder, who is now 25 years old, is ready to advance to a higher level.
Alvarez is an intriguing choice because it appears that West Ham United has been looking into him as a potential Rice replacement. The Ajax fulcrum has reportedly been named as a candidate for the open position at the London Stadium, with speculations of a $46 million (£35 million/€41 million) bid.
Despite playing for a dominant team, the South American midfielder finished fourth among midfielders in the Dutch top division for tackles and interceptions last season. He also finished fourth for recoveries. Like Fabinho did for Liverpool over the past five years, Alvarez consistently wins the ball for Ajax.
Any potential transfer of the Mexican this summer by West Ham United could be derailed by Klopp. The Hammers may have unintentionally provided Liverpool with a player who is deserving of consideration. The Reds manager is actively looking for a new number six.
