Fabinho lifts lid on Liverpool transfer - including how Roberto Firmino phone call and Jurgen Klopp made decision easyLiverpool made a surprise early swoop to bring the Brazilian to Merseyside
Fabinho has lifted the lid on his £40million move to Liverpool - including how Roberto Firmino and Jurgen Klopp helped persuade him to move to Anfield.
The Reds sealed their first deal of the summer with the signing of the Monaco midfielder, in a deal worth an initial £39.3million – rising to a potential £43.7m with bonuses.
The 24-year-old had been tracked by a number of leading European clubs with Manchester United and Atletico Madrid thought favourites for his signature.
But having tracked him over the past year, Liverpool made a surprise early swoop to bring the Brazilian to Merseyside following discussions over the past month.
Speaking after completing the move, the 24-year-old revealed how talks with both compatriot Firmino and new boss Klopp saw him make his decision, amidst other serious offers.
"I spoke by phone with Firmino," he said. "I know him personally, I have been in the Brazil squad with him.
"I was able to talk with the coach as well, with people working at the club."They gave me a lot of confidence, they showed me that they really wanted me. When we met, everything went very well.
"The contact had been over a few weeks. It was three, four weeks that I spoke with them.
"I spoke with people from the club, with the coach, which gave me a lot of confidence. I wanted to go to a club that really wanted me, which showed great interest.
"With all that, it was easy to say yes. I thought a little and told my agent that he could continue the transfer. I am very happy that it is done from the beginning of the transfer window."
Speaking on the decision he had to make, Fabinho revealed he had a 'real' choice other than Liverpool, with speculation it could have been Manchester United.
Fabinho's agent, Jorge Mendes, also represents Jose Mourinho, and United had been heavily linked with a move for the player, while Arsenal were another name said to be interested.
"I had two choices," he added to RMC Sport. "Real choices, not just interests. I do not want to talk about other clubs.
"It's done, I'm a Liverpool player. I had already decided."
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fabinho-lifts-lid-liverpool-transfer-14717854
