Liverpool line up £114m move for Vitinha as search for Fabinho successor intensifies

Liverpool’s identity crisis deepens amid transfer rethink

Liverpool’s turbulent start this season under Arne Slot has triggered a sense of unease around Anfield, with recent defeats and tactical inconsistencies inviting scrutiny of both the manager and the club’s recruitment policy. Five losses in six Premier League matches have left supporters wondering whether the summer’s £446 million spend has truly addressed the gaps left by key departures.

At the heart of Liverpool’s troubles lies a midfield that appears disjointed and uncertain. Fabinho’s absence continues to haunt the side, his calm control and defensive awareness once forming the bedrock of Jurgen Klopp’s most dominant years. Slot’s version of Liverpool has yet to strike that same balance, and now, sporting director Richard Hughes is believed to be preparing a bold move to find a long-term solution.

According to Football Fancast, Liverpool are lining up a £114 million bid for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha, a player regarded by many as one of the most complete central midfielders in Europe.

Vitinha’s rise to prominence

Since joining PSG from Porto in 2022 for £34 million, Vitinha has developed into one of the French champions’ most influential figures. Now 25, he has become an orchestrator of Luis Enrique’s possession-heavy system, dictating the rhythm of matches with precise passing and impressive positional intelligence.

Portugal manager Roberto Martinez recently hailed him as “the best midfielder in the world”, and while such a label may seem hyperbolic, the numbers tell their own story. According to FBref data, Vitinha ranks among the top 1% of midfielders in Europe for pass completion, progressive passes and passes attempted over the past 12 months. He is also in the top 9% for shot-creating actions and the top 8% for progressive carries per 90 minutes, underlining his value both as a metronome and a creative force.

His defensive statistics are equally striking, winning around 60% of his ground duels in Ligue 1 this season, proving he is not merely a technical specialist but a midfielder capable of adapting to the physical demands of the Premier League.

Why Liverpool are targeting Vitinha

Liverpool’s interest in Vitinha stems from Slot’s desire to build a side that controls matches through possession and structure. While Ryan Gravenberch has impressed since moving into a deeper role, his passing tempo and defensive reliability do not yet match what Slot requires from a midfield anchor.

Fabinho once offered the platform upon which Liverpool’s chaos thrived: calm under pressure, surgical in the tackle and unflappable in possession. Vitinha would bring those same principles, albeit with a different technical flavour. Where Fabinho provided steel and simplicity, Vitinha offers fluency and vision.

Such a profile could revitalise the entire side. With a midfielder capable of dictating the tempo and connecting defence to attack, the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate could regain composure, while forwards such as Florian Wirtz would benefit from more structured transitions.

However, signing Vitinha will not be straightforward. The Portuguese international is contracted to PSG until 2029 and is considered one of their most prized assets. Both Arsenal and Juventus are also monitoring his situation, and any successful bid would likely require Liverpool to break their own transfer record.

Long-term planning and the Slot project

The potential acquisition of Vitinha fits into Liverpool’s broader strategy of reshaping the squad around Slot’s principles. After years of Klopp’s high-pressing dynamism, the Dutchman has attempted to implement a more methodical, possession-oriented style. The transition, however, has been uneven.

Vitinha represents not only a tactical upgrade but a philosophical one. His intelligence on the ball, combined with his work rate and adaptability, makes him an ideal candidate to bridge the gap between Klopp’s intensity and Slot’s control.

Liverpool’s hierarchy view this signing as an investment in stability. Sources close to the club suggest that Hughes and FSG are prioritising technical midfielders who can maintain tempo under pressure and progress the ball efficiently. It is an evolution that mirrors broader European trends, where control increasingly outweighs chaos.

Still, there is risk involved. Spending £114 million on a single player demands results. Should the deal go through, Vitinha will be expected to deliver instantly in one of football’s most demanding environments.

What happens next

Negotiations, if they progress, will test Liverpool’s financial flexibility under the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. The club’s summer outlay means any major deal would likely require outgoing transfers or creative structuring.

Vitinha’s arrival would also raise questions about the future of others in Liverpool’s midfield, including Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones, both of whom have struggled for rhythm this season.

For now, the pursuit of Vitinha represents both ambition and necessity. Liverpool’s midfield lacks identity and direction, and with title ambitions already slipping away, decisive action may be required to restore balance.

A player of Vitinha’s calibre could well be the missing piece, the orchestrator capable of restoring order to a side currently adrift. But at £114 million, Liverpool must be certain that he is not just the next marquee signing, but the right one.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This potential move will divide opinion. On one hand, the club’s midfield clearly needs structure and leadership. Vitinha’s technical control and tactical maturity fit that need perfectly, offering a long-term solution reminiscent of the Fabinho era’s best moments.

Yet there are doubts. The reported £114 million fee is enormous, particularly for a player operating in a league where Liverpool have historically struggled to judge value. Fans will remember the lessons of previous record deals and wonder if this level of investment in a single player makes sense under FSG’s sustainability model.

There’s also the question of adaptation. Vitinha’s brief Premier League spell with Wolves was unremarkable, though he was far less experienced then. Supporters might fear another expensive signing who fails to adjust to England’s intensity.

Still, there’s optimism in the idea of pairing Vitinha with Gravenberch and Wirtz in midfield, forming a technically elite trio that could redefine Slot’s project. For many Liverpool fans, the potential reward justifies the risk. If this deal goes through, it could mark the beginning of Liverpool’s tactical rebirth.