This is it, Liverpool can finally replace Fabinho with perfect transfer

Liverpool's Fabinho heir is already here and they can sign him with the perfect transfer.

Liverpool are placing midfield reinforcements at the heart of their summer transfer plans, with sporting director Richard Hughes already laying the foundations for a busy recruitment drive.

Anfield Watch understands the club has drawn up an ambitious shortlist featuring several potential targets, reflecting Liverpool’s proactive approach to the transfer market.

The club traditionally prefers to identify and secure priority signings as early as possible, allowing new arrivals to settle before the start of the season.

That process is already underway, with Hughes and Liverpool’s recruitment team working on several deals behind the scenes.

Strengthening the midfield has become increasingly important due to uncertainty surrounding the futures of key players. Contract talks with Alexis Mac Allister have reportedly reached a standstill, while Curtis Jones is entering the final year of his current deal, raising questions over his long-term future at Anfield. Especially with rumours ramping up about his move to Inter Milan.

With both situations unresolved, Liverpool are preparing for the possibility of significant changes in midfield.

The expectation is that the club will target at least two recent additions this summer, with that number potentially increasing should both players depart.

Adding quality, depth, and long-term stability to the centre of the pitch is expected to be a major focus as Liverpool continue to reshape the squad for the future and give Andoni Iraola the best possible foundations for success.

In terms of the blueprint of who Liverpool should be looking to sign to bolster their midfield - it's Fabinho.

The Brazilian was one of the most influential figures in the club's modern success, anchoring the midfield with intelligence, composure, and relentless defensive work.

At his peak, he brought a sense of control that allowed the rest of the team to flourish. Whether it was breaking up opposition attacks, reading danger before it developed, or stepping in to win crucial duels, Fabinho made the role look effortless.

His positional awareness was arguably his greatest strength. He seemed to always be in the right place at the right time, shielding the back line and cutting passing lanes with precision. In one-on-one battles, he was dominant - using his reach and timing to regain possession and immediately reset Liverpool’s rhythm.

That ability to control the middle of the pitch was a cornerstone of the side under Jurgen Klopp.

Since his departure in 2023, Liverpool have struggled to truly replace him.

While new midfield additions have brought energy and technical quality, none have replicated Fabinho’s unique blend of defensive discipline and authority, his absence is still felt today.

Well, let's us introduce you to Chema Andres. He is a Spaniard at Stuttgart who has that old-fashioned central holding midfielder about him.

The young midfielder is a blend of Busquets and Fabinho combined. He reads the game superbly and has excellent anticipation. There are few midfielders in Europe's top five leagues who have prevented as many chances and have averaged as many interceptions as him last season.

Andres is an elite midfielder who is still only 21-years-old and who can be the perfect player for Iraola's system.

Watch him play for Real Madrid's reserve team or for Stuttgart now and you will realise that as well as the way he reads the game Andres has excellent distribution.

He's great at threading long balls over the top that can make Iraola's quick and direct style of play very effective. Even better is that Andres already has a connection with Victor Munoz, who was Liverpool's first signing of the summer.

Together they were phenomenal for Real Madrid's reserve team back in the 2024/25 season and that connection is something that could be unleashed once again at Anfield.

Chema Andres is the man who could finally replace Fabinho, and it's an exciting one to keep an eye on. Right now is the moment to strike before his fee gets inflated. This would be the perfect transfer this summer.