Sources: European giant wants £54m LFC star to replace £60.8m giant

According to a report from Fichajes.net, Real Madrid will look to sign Fabinho from Liverpool if they lose Raphael Varane to Manchester United this summer.

One of the standout performers for Liverpool during a disappointing season has been the ever-dependable Fabinho.

He joined the Reds from AS Monaco in 2018 for £43.7m and is now worth £54m, according to Transfermarkt, but I'm sure he wouldn't be allowed to leave for any less than £60m - if at all.

The Brazilian's presence in the middle of the park strengthened Liverpool so much that they won the UEFA Champions League in his first season and almost won the Premier League, finishing on a then club-record points tally of 96.

AS reports that Varane could end up at Manchester United and now Fichajes.net claims that this could see Real Madrid go after Fabinho as a result. While he's a defensive midfielder, the former Los Blancos fullback has starred for Liverpool in a central defensive role this season.

With Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all ruled out for the rest of the season, Klopp has had to experiment at the back and Fabinho has dutifully filled in at centre-back to great effect.

That said, he is far better in the no.6 role. His best game in the position came at Anfield vs. Barcelona in the famous Champions League semi-final. Fabinho played most of the game on a yellow after being incorrectly booked for a great challenge on Luis Suarez.

Despite that, he still managed to pocket Lionel Messi and help his side reach the final of the Champions League which they easily won against Tottenham Hotspur.

Real Madrid may or may not sell Varane for £60.8million this summer but Liverpool will not sell their best defensive midfielder.

The Brazilian is too important to Jurgen Klopp's side and beyond that, it's far too difficult to find world-class holding midfielders in the modern game.

Liverpool are hoping to return to the top of the Premier League again next season after their first title defence in decades proved to be a major fail due to a combination of defensive injuries and a lack of clinical finishing from Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.