Liverpool has rejected a bid of around $19million (£15m/€17m) for attacker Fabio Carvalho from Southampton .
The Saints were keen on signing Carvalho in January as they chased promotion from the Championship, but the 21-year-old joined Hull City instead. Under Russell Martin, Southampton went on to gain promotion back to the Premier League via the play-offs after beating Leeds United at Wembley, and are still interested in bringing the attacking midfielder to St Mary's this summer.
The Athletic report the Reds have rejected a bid from Southampton with it claimed Liverpool has no desire to let Carvalho go out on loan again - and in the event they would sell him, the bid would need to be considerably higher than $19m.
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New Reds boss Arne Slot has been impressed by Carvalho this summer and has utilized him plenty during pre-season due to the absence of some of Liverpool's international players. However, while the Dutchman rates Carvalho highly, he has opted to play him on the wing, a position the latter believes is not his best.
The 21-year-old prefers to play as a number 10, and is keen to get plenty of regular first team minutes this season in order to continue his development. Carvalho wants to stay at Anfield , but may be aware he might not get as much game-time as he craves, especially when Liverpool's international stars return.
A switch to a 4-2-3-1 for the Reds would present an opening for Carvalho to play in his preferred number 10 role, but Liverpool is equally stacked in that position with options. Speaking to reporters in the US, Carvalho explained he and Slot had discussed where best he could be utilized this term.
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"I think I play better as a number 10," Carvalho told reporters . "We spoke about it and [Slot] told me to try and settle on the wing but obviously I know where I play best and I feel that is as a number 10.
"I’m just going to do what he wants me to do and just work as hard as I can for him. He’s giving me good instructions and motivating me a lot in training and giving me that confidence. Yeah [I want to make an impact], that’s what it is all about. Not just for me but for everyone involved. There’s good chances for the young players as well, for myself as well. It’s a good chance for everyone to put their foot down and stamp their mark."
Liverpool.com says: Carvalho is a talented player but is he good enough for Liverpool to change their entire system to fit him in as a number 10? That much is unsure. The Reds have plenty of options they could field in that position, with Harvey Elliott, Dominik Szoboszlai , Cody Gakpo and even Diogo Jota capable of playing that role.
But a path to first team minutes could be open if he continues to impress out on the left-wing, like he has this summer. With Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo yet to return to training following their international excursions, if Carvalho can impress in Liverpool's final pre-season clash against Sevilla, and hit the ground running in the Premier League during August and September, he could earn a regular starting berth.
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