According to Fabrizio Romano, Southampton are hoping to beat Leicester City to the acquisition of Liverpool youngster Fabio Carvalho.
The Premier League leaders chose to return the 21-year-old winger from his season-long loan term with RB Leipzig yesterday, and he is now looking for a new club. It was believed that a move to the Bundesliga would provide the attacker the opportunity to advance his career, but he only made nine league games for the German club.
As a result, Liverpool have concluded that his time will be better spent elsewhere for the rest of the season, and a move to the Championship seems possible.
Carvalho already has plenty of experience in England’s second tier, having broken through Fulham’s academy to help them win the title in 2022, just one season after being demoted. He scored 10 goals in 36 league appearances, garnering the attention of Liverpool.
The Merseysiders then paid £5 million for his services, and he appeared in 21 games in all competitions last season before being released to find regular first-team action elsewhere.
Sky Sports claimed yesterday that Enzo Maresca has identified the teenager as the ideal player to help his side’s title-winning chances, with Leicester presently leading the Championship by eight points.
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 in terrific form recently, winning their previous four games to close the gap on second-placed Ipswich Town to three points. They head to Norwich City this afternoon in the hope of closing the gap on the Tractor Boys and finishing the day in the automatic promotion spots.
Author’s Opinion
Fabio Carvalho is a tremendous young talent, and it is not surprise that a slew of clubs are vying for his services. While his move to Germany did not work out, it was an invaluable experience for him, and he will be eager to establish his worth in the second half of the season.
Although a number of Premier League clubs are interested in him, he may benefit more by returning to the Championship in search of his second title than from facing a relegation struggle with a side from the division above.
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