Liverpool have missed out on a deal to sign Fulham playmaker Fabio Carvalho – and last night’s move may have been a case of ‘now or never’.
After days of speculation, it looked like Carvalho was finally heading to Liverpool late on Monday night.
90Min reported that a £10million deal was agreed and Carvalho was set for a medical, with Fabrizio Romano backing that up.
However, the deal sheets weren’t submitted in time and Carvalho will not be heading to Liverpool after all.
Liverpool needing to sort out a loan return to Fulham hampered the move, as there just wasn’t time to get both sides fo the move done.
Carvalho is out of contract at the end of the season so Liverpool could still get their man – but that may not actually happen.
Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater claimed that Liverpool ‘always’ viewed a late deal for Carvalho as ‘now or never’ as they fear the battle for his signature now.
Liverpool allegedly don’t want to go through a tribunal for Carvalho and scrap with European clubs who can sign him for cheaper compensation.
Liverpool went through a tribunal to land winger Harvey Elliott, who ironically also came from the Fulham youth ranks.
The Reds were seemingly willing to go all out for a deal now in order to avoid a war for Carvalho this summer.
Instead, Liverpool may now find themselves backing away from Carvalho in a decision that may leave some fans frustrated.
19-year-old playmaker Carvalho looks set to become a star in the coming years, and has already racked up seven goals and four assists in 18 Championship games this season.
Diminutive, tricky and skilful, Carvalho could have brought some more guile to the Liverpool side in the coming years.
Instead, Carvalho may not end up at Liverpool at all – and that seems like a major disappointment if true, having put in so much work late in January.
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