Liverpool midfielder Fabinho 'completes Al-Ittihad medical'

The Brazil international was the subject of a £40m bid from Nuno Espirito Santo's side before the Reds' pre-season tour to Germany, which he did not play a part in.

Negotiations have been rumbling on in the background for the past couple of weeks, but a move was believed to be in jeopardy at one stage due to disagreements over a payment structure.

However, the two clubs recently found common ground, and Fabinho has been pictured in a Dubai medical facility after also missing Liverpool's ongoing trip to Singapore.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Fabinho has now passed his Al-Ittihad medical, and the South American will soon be unveiled by the Saudi Pro League holders.

Liverpool and Al-Ittihad are yet to sign off on all the documents, but the formalities should not take too much longer to complete after the sides reached a verbal agreement.

Fabinho is set to pen a three-year deal with Santo's side until 2026 and departs Liverpool after a glittering five-year spell, during which he established a reputation as one of Europe's leading defensive midfielders.

The 29-year-old departs with a record of 11 goals and 10 assists from 219 matches across all tournaments, playing crucial roles in Liverpool's Champions League and Premier League triumphs.

Fabinho has also helped the Reds clinch FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield titles, and he set up another two goals in 49 games during the 2022-23 campaign.

However, the former Monaco man failed to show his best form last term, as Jurgen Klopp's side failed to qualify for the Champions League for only the second time under the German's wing.

Fabinho will follow ex-Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia after the 33-year-old joined Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq, while Arthur, Naby Keita, Leighton Clarkson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner have also packed their bags and left the club.

The arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have helped soften the blow, but Klopp has confirmed that his side will try to bolster their engine room further following Fabinho and Henderson's transfers.

Southampton's Romeo Lavia is believed to be the Reds' number one target at present, and a bid of £34m plus £4m in add-ons for the Belgium international has been rejected by the Saints.

Lavia has apparently agreed personal terms with Liverpool, but the Merseyside giants have been told to cough up as much as £50m in order to sign the 19-year-old this summer.

Liverpool continue their pre-season preparations against Leicester City on Sunday before tackling Bayern Munich and Darmstadt 98, with the latter fixture taking place at Deepdale on August 7.