Liverpool have rejected a bid from a fellow Premier League club for one of their young stars.
Liverpool is preparing for their inaugural season with Arne Slot as manager, who took over from Jurgen Klopp during the summer. Slot’s team has demonstrated impressive form during their pre-season tour in the United States, securing victories over Real Betis, Arsenal, and Manchester United, even though several key players were absent due to participation in Euro 2024 and Copa America earlier in the summer.
Fabio Carvalho is one of the players who has taken advantage of the absence of more experienced squad members, with his performances significantly impressing Slot.
However, Slot isn’t the only manager interested in the 21-year-old. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Liverpool has turned down a £15 million offer from Southampton for Carvalho.
Club officials are not ready to approve another loan move for the young player, who made a strong impression at Hull City during the latter part of last season. Liverpool will only entertain significantly higher permanent offers for Carvalho, particularly since Slot plans to feature him prominently this season. Slot envisions using the Portuguese youth international in a No.10 role within his 4-2-3-1 formation, though he also values him in his preferred left-sided position.
Carvalho has shown strong form during pre-season, netting goals against both Arsenal and Manchester United.
Although Carvalho would like to remain at Anfield, his top priority is securing regular playing time. He does not want to be a peripheral player and would be open to a move if it guarantees him a starting role. With Liverpool having numerous players who can play centrally and on the left, such as Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, and Diogo Jota, Carvalho may not get the consistent starting minutes he needs to advance in his career and development.
Southampton manager Russell Martin had discussions with Carvalho in January before the player ultimately went on loan to Hull. Carvalho was reportedly impressed by what he heard during those talks.
