Napoli’s attempts to snatch Liverpool midfield star revealed

Fabinho; Naby Keita TEAMtalk

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho was close to signing for Wednesday night’s Champions League opponents Napoli, it has been revealed.

Fabinho was a marquee signing for the Reds over the summer, joining from Ligue 1 side Monaco for over £40m. However, he has found playing time hard to come by so far, making just one start in the League Cup and a one-minute cameo as a substitute in the Champions League win over PSG.

Liverpool were not the only club interested in his services, though, and an intermediary has confirmed that Napoli had made contact to enquire about the Brazilian.

Giuseppe Cannella told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli: “When we met Mendes with Giuntoli to ask for news on Andre Gomes, the Napoli sporting director also asked for information on Fabinho, who will now be an opponent in the Champions League with Liverpool.

“He was a valuable player two years ago and Napoli has been following for a long time.”

Napoli were in the market for a new midfielder after losing Jorginho to Chelsea, but they eventually opted for Real Betis’ Fabian Ruiz instead.

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