It is understood a £40m offer for the Brazil international has been made by Al-Ittihad, one of four Saudi Arabian clubs owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund.
Receipt of a “serious, official” offer prompted discussions within the club which resulted in a decision, taken in consultation with Fabinho, to withdraw the player from the squad which flew out on Saturday.
Captain Jordan Henderson, who has also been the subject of speculation linking him to a reported £700,000-a-week offer from Al-Ettifaq – managed by former team-mate Steven Gerrard – has travelled with the squad as there has been no bid for him as yet.
Liverpool’s midfield is undergoing a revamp this summer with the experienced James Milner joining Brighton and the contracts of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita expiring.
They have been replaced by Argentina World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, aged 24, and 22-year-old Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined £95million and the offer for Fabinho – who turns 30 in October – is viewed as another opportunity to refresh.
The club have been looking for a long-term successor to the Brazil defensive midfielder as although the 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic impressed in a short spell before injury last season, he needs time to grow into the role having made just 19 senior appearances.
Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, at 19, was also under consideration but the pending immediate departure of Fabinho is likely to prompt a change in targets with the need to recruit a ready-made replacement.
A number of names have been linked this summer but Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, whom the Seagulls value at £100million-plus, is not an option.
Henderson’s uncertain future means the need to bring in experience is now a priority for Liverpool.
Their new recruits were likely to have meant reduced playing time for the 33-year-old, who has lifted every elite trophy during his captaincy of the club and – while he remains an integral part of the dressing room – Liverpool are not averse to selling.
However, they would look for a figure closer to £20million-plus for a player who has two years remaining on his contract.
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