One of the best holding midfielders on the continent changed clubs over the course of the weekend. After weeks of negotiations, Arsenal managed to convince Declan Rice to move to the Emirates Stadium, with the English star having been signed for a record-breaking amount.
The 24-year-old will represent the Gunners next term and based on his steady evolution over the years, it is reasonable to suggest that he will hold the fort for Mikel Arteta's outfit on a consistent basis for the rest of his career. The high-profile transfer is relevant to Liverpool because of a void that has emerged within Jürgen Klopp's ranks in the last few days.
All looked calm on Merseyside before Fabinho was suddenly tipped for a switch to Saudi Arabia (as per Football Insider). The South American hasn't been his usual self over the past 12 months and now aged 29, his prime years of performance are likely to be behind him, which perhaps explains why the Reds are entertaining the prospect of a sale.
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Fabinho has been Liverpool's first-choice holding midfielder since 2018 after he was acquired from AS Monaco. The Brazilian international was 24 years old at the time, and he hadn't yet experienced the feeling of winning silverware at the pinnacle of the sport, barring his Ligue 1 triumph in 2016/17.
The Reds essentially took a chance on him being the man to upgrade Klopp's engine room, and he didn't take long to justify the investment in his services. Fabinho has been an outstanding servant at Anfield and he's been one of the primary reasons behind Liverpool's modern success, but he now looks destined to call time on his Premier League career.
Klopp is in the process of sourcing a capable heir to his throne. Rice would have been an ideal option given his growing prominence at West Ham United, but Arsenal has already got him. It remains to be seen who will be targeted by Liverpool, but an interesting option that could be worth exploring is Edson Álvarez.
![Edson Álvarez in action against Liverpool last season](https://i2-prod.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/article27337139.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_GettyImages-1244244152.jpg)
The Ajax midfielder isn't too dissimilar to Fabinho when he moved to England five years ago. He is primarily focused on the defensive side of the game, having painted himself as a destroyer of opposition attacks, but it is also worth noting that he's heavily involved in possession too.
Indeed, no player in the Eredivisie averaged more touches per 90 minutes than Álvarez last term. The Mexican midfielder is now 25 years old, and he seems ready to step up to a higher level, with a potential transfer to Borussia Dortmund collapsing earlier this summer.
Álvarez is a curious option because West Ham United seems to have sourced him as a possible successor for Rice. According to the Express, the Ajax fulcrum has been identified as a candidate for the vacant role at the London Stadium, with rumors of a $46m (£35m/€41m) bid.
The South American midfielder placed fourth among midfielders in the Dutch top flight for tackles and interceptions last season — despite playing for a dominant outfit — and he also placed fourth for recoveries. Álvarez wins the ball on a regular basis for Ajax, just as Fabinho has for Liverpool across the last five years.
Klopp has the power to hijack any potential West Ham United move for the Mexican this summer. The Reds boss is very much in the market for a new number six, and the Hammers might have accidentally presented Liverpool with a player who is worth considering.