I was never close to joining Man Utd – Fabinho

Liverpool new boy Fabinho insists he was never close to joining the Reds’ fierce Premier League rivals Manchester United.

The 24-year-old was a reported target for the Red Devils ahead of the 2017-18 season after helping Monaco to a shock Ligue 1 title and the Champions Leagues semi-finals the campaign before.

However, a move to Old Trafford never materialised, despite Fabinho saying he would be interested in a switch, and Liverpool swooped for his services shortly after losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid.

Fabinho, who cost the Reds a fee of €45 million (£39m/$52m) plus bonuses of up to another €5m (£4m/$6m), concedes that discussions were held but that moving to United was never truly on the cards.

In an interview with FourFourTwo, he said: “I was never close to signing for Manchester United, no.

“I heard things said about it, but the truth is it was never a strong possibility.

“I won’t deny there were a few conversations about my situation with Monaco, but there was never an official offer from United.”