KLOPP AGREES £45M DEAL FOR FABINHO
LIVERPOOL have signed Brazil international Fabinho for £45million from Monaco.
Boss Jurgen Klopp moved swiftly after the Champions League disappointment to land the holding midfielder who was his priority target of the summer.
And his spending will not stop there, with a raid planned on Lyon for forward Nabil Fekir and a top-class goalkeeper also high
on his wanted list. Fabinho agreed a five-year contract and officially joins on July 1.
With Manchester United also interested, convincing him to switch to Anfield is a major coup for the German.
“I’m really excited,” said Fabinho, 24. “This is something I always wanted – this is a giant of a team. A football club of this size coming after my services.. I didn’t have to think that much about coming over.
Liverpool will pay £40m, with a possible £5m more based on performance.
Boss Klopp said: “We have signed a fantastic player, but someone who is an equally fantastic person. His reputation as a character in the dressing room and in training has come through from everyone we speak to.
“He has ability and mentality to play at the highest level in a number of positions.” Fabinho, capped four times, made 225 appearances in five seasons with Monaco, scoring 29 goals.
Klopp had identified a defensive midfielder as key after conceding he would not keep Emre Can at the end of his contract.
The Reds hope to push through a £50m deal for Fekir – who last night scored for France in a friendly against Ireland – before the World Cup.
Yet Lyon insisted there was no rush. Fekir, 24, said: “There are discussions. The president knows my desires and we’ll talk about it in the next few days.”