Liverpool told to 'break the bank' and challenge rivals for Fabinho replacement

17 July 2023 , 17:26
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Fabinho is set to join Al-Hilal for £40million (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Fabinho is set to join Al-Hilal for £40million (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool should splash the cash to beat Chelsea to the signing of Brighton star Moises Caicedo, according to Stan Collymore.

The Reds have already signed two central midfielders this summer following the departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have arrived as Jurgen Klopp tries to reshape his midfield after a poor 2022/23 campaign.

But Liverpool may need to go back into the transfer market for more additions because some of their first-team stars are attracting attention. Al-Hilal have offered £40million to sign Fabinho, while captain Jordan Henderson has received an offer to join Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq.

Fabinho appears likely to leave for Saudi Arabia, leaving Liverpool with a potential problem. Former Reds midfielder Collymore thinks they could compete with Chelsea for Caicedo, who will become the subject of a £70m bid from Mauricio Pochettino’s side this week, according to the Evening Standard.

Collymore wrote for Caught Offside : “To replace Fabinho, I think Liverpool should break the bank for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and although it might be a little too soon for him, Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara would be an excellent acquisition for Klopp having been exceptional at times last season – although I think Aston Villa won’t be motivated to sell him this summer.

Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected qhiqhhiqeiqdkinvKlopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected

“If they are looking for a defensive midfielder that will be there for the next four/five years, Caicedo would be my pick. Partnering him with Mac Allister, his former Brighton team-mate, would be very good as it was a pairing that produced tremendous results over the past season. Either way, Liverpool need to bring in one more player for their midfield.”

Caicedo has made it clear he wants to leave Brighton this summer. He came close to joining Arsenal in January, but the Gunners are out of the running after spending £105m to land Declan Rice from West Ham.

Liverpool told to 'break the bank' and challenge rivals for Fabinho replacementBrighton are holding out for £100m for Moises Caicedo (Getty Images)

HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Liverpool replace Fabinho with? Comment below.

The 21-year-old Ecuador international’s future remains unclear for now, although Chelsea appears the most likely destination. Brighton are ready to hold out for £100m for Caicedo, who is under contract until June 2027, meaning the Seagulls are in a strong negotiating position.

For his part, Caicedo has his heart set upon a move to Chelsea, telling Ecuadorian outlet TC Television recently: “It’s a big team, that’s true. A very historic team which I can’t say no [to joining] because it’s a very big, historic, beautiful team. The city as well is beautiful. It’s got everything beautiful.”

Liverpool are understood to be happy with their current crop of midfielders. As well as Fabinho and Henderson, they have Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has shown his ability to play in the position.

If they do contact Brighton over Caicedo they can expect a tough negotiating stance from the club who have already sold them Mac Allister.

Felix Keith

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