Alan Sutton has suggested that Liverpool would be happy to see Fabinho leave the club if it meant they could sign Declan Rice from West Ham.
The Brazil international, who is currently at the World Cup in Qatar with his national team, has struggled to be fit for Jurgen Klopp’s side so far this season.
However, West Ham midfielder Rice has impressed for club and country of late, and is linked with a move to a ‘big six’ club.
“If they can get Declan Rice, then yes, I think it would be,” the Scotsman told Football Insider (via Transfer Tavern) when asked if signing the 23-year-old to replace our No. 3 would be good.
“Fabinho is a fantastic player and has been a great servant to the club. But if you’re looking for the long term and want to get someone like Rice, you may need to open a gap in midfield.
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“I still think it will be difficult, we are talking about a lot of money for any of these types of players. I think it would be a great move if they could get it in the building.
“It would make the midfield stronger, which is something they should do. I think if they could bring in Rice, they would be happy to get Fabinho out.”
The former AS Monaco player, who Alisson Becker previously described as a ‘monster’, plays a vital role for the Reds protecting the defense and breaking up play in midfield.
His performances in recent seasons have seen him recognized as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, but so far this term he has been way off pace.
The 29-year-old has yet to appear for Brazil at the World Cup and the hope is that he can return to his best during the second half of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Rice is showing immense potential and the kind of leadership qualities that would see him thrive on Merseyside.
He’s recently talked about playing in the Champions League and winning trophies, which means he’d be more than open to a move to Anfield and the chance to play under our German tactician.
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