Monaco star Fabinho has now got Spanish giants Atletico Madrid chasing his signature, in addition to the English Premier League trio of Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.
Fabinho, 23, has been outstanding this season for Monaco, and played a crucial part in their successful campaign to become Ligue 1 champions, scoring 11 goals for Monaco across the season. His versatility and form have alerted many clubs, with several declaring an interest in the Brazilian international.
Manchester United was the choice of preference for the player, but negotiations have been slow, which has caused neighbours City and Arsenal to leap at the opportunity to prise him away from Monaco – and now Atletico Madrid have joined the fray, tabling £40 million to ward off their English competitors and tempt Monaco into releasing him early from the 4 year contract he is currently under.
Monaco, for their part, will be reluctant to let a prized asset leave, seeing him as integral to the defence of their French championship title and another assault on the Champions League. But Atletico are very determined to bring this type of player into their squad, with their eyes also on Sevilla’s Vitolo.
Much will rest on Monaco’s valuation of the player and whom are prepared to meet it – United will remain in the driving seat, being Fabinho’s ideal destination, but any continued stalling will surely see him look to the Spanish option, with a congested Manchester City midfield and a lack of Champions League football at Arsenal less attractive propositions.
