Southampton are hoping to beat Leicester City to the signing of Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The 21-year-old winger is looking for a fresh move after the Premier League leaders opted to recall the player from his season-long loan spell with RB Leipzig yesterday. It was hoped that a move to the Bundesliga would provide the attacker with the platform to step up his career, but he made just nine league appearances for the German outfit.
As such, Liverpool have decided that his time will be better spent elsewhere for the remainder of the campaign and a move to the Championship could be on the cards.
Carvalho already has ample experience in England’s second tier after breaking out through Fulham’s academy to help them win the title in 2022, just one season after they were relegated. He scored 10 goals in 36 league outings, ultimately catching the eye of Liverpool.
The Merseysiders then forked out £5 million for his services and he made 21 appearances in all competitions last season before the decision was made for him to get regular first team minutes elsewhere.
Fabio Carvalho has returned to Liverpool from his loan spell with RB Leipzig:
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 31, 2023
Sky Sports reported yesterday that Enzo Maresca has identified the youngster as the ideal player to aid his side’s title-winning prospects, with Leicester currently sitting eight points clear at the top of the Championship. However, Romano claims that Southampton are also keen, with the Saints also looking to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Speaking to Caught Offside, the transfer expert said:
“As reported a few weeks ago, Liverpool were not happy with the amount of playing time Carvalho had at Leipzig. Although the Bundesliga side were quite keen to keep him, he was barely playing, and so his return to Anfield was officially announced yesterday.
“So, what now? The plan is for Carvalho to have a new loan move for the second half of the season. Carvalho will leave Liverpool and there are multiple Premier League and Championship clubs (including Southampton) keen on signing him on loan.
“I also think that at this stage in his career a loan move is the best solution for the boy. He’s a big talent, it’s not been easy for him for the last year or so but I’m sure with the right loan move and regular minutes he can bounce back.”
Southampton have been on an excellent run of form as of late, winning their last four fixtures to move within three points of second-placed Ipswich Town. They travel to Norwich City this afternoon hoping to close the gap on the Tractor Boys further and they could finish the day in the automatic promotion spots.
Writer’s View
Fabio Carvalho is an immense young talent and it is not surprising to learn that a host of clubs are chasing his services. Whilst his move to Germany hasn’t worked out, it is an experience which will still have been valuable, and he will be raring to go to prove his worth in the second half of the season.
Although a number of Premier League clubs are interested, he may get more out of dropping back to the Championship in search of his second title, rather than face a potential relegation battle with a team from the division above.