Southampton manager Russell Martin has spoken on his club’s interest in Fabio Carvalho.
As we reported last week, the Saints are keen on signing the Liverpool forward this summer and tabled a £20m bid for the Portuguese.
However, the Reds swiftly rebuffed them, as they are desperate to keep Carvalho at Anfield beyond this summer.
The 21-year-old midfielder has impressed under new boss Arne Slot this summer, scoring two fine goals in pre-season.
Signed from Fulham in 2022, the youngster has had little involvement with the Liverpool first team and has had to seek game time with RB Leipzig and then Hull City last season.
But it seems this is his year, with new Liverpool manager Slot reportedly a fan.
That hasn’t stopped Southampton from circling for his services, though, and the Saints manager Russell Martin, has confirmed that his club made contact with Liverpool and Carvalho over a potential move.
The Englishman also admitted that he admires the 21-year-old midfielder and is keen to bring him to the south coast on a permanent deal ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
What did Russell Martin say about Carvalho?
“He is a player we have liked for a while,” Martin said.
“We spoke in January but couldn’t get it done for one reason or another.
“We had a lot of strength in that position. He went and done really well at Hull.
“We are linked and rumour mill at this time of year is really hot,” Martin told Sky Sports.
“So we’ve been linked with a lot of players, some far away from the truth, some very true.
“He is a player I admire and like, but I’m sure lots of other managers do as well.
“I don’t really have any more information on it now apart from that.”
However, the Saints boss conceded that the decision about Carvalho’s future ultimately lies with Slot.
Martin added: “We’ll have to wait and see.
“I’m on a call this evening with the owners and the chief executive because it never stops in pre-season.
“We’ll discuss the strategy moving forward on every player we’re involved with.”
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