Fabinho’s planned Liverpool exit has been plunged into uncertainty.
The midfielder was a key omission from Jurgen Klopp’s side when they flew out for a pre-season training camp ahead of his proposed move to Al Ittihad.
But progress on the transfer has stalled in the near fortnight since both clubs agreed a £40 million deal to facilitate Fabinho’s departure from the Reds.
Anfield chiefs are still prepared for the Brazil international to leave after five years but finer details of his switch to Saudi Arabia remain unresolved.
As a result, Fabinho is now preparing to report back for training at the AXA Training Centre on Wednesday ahead of Liverpool’s tour of the Far East.
Should the transfer ultimately collapse, Klopp’s plans to replenish his midfield options will be placed on hold amid Jordan Henderson’s own prolonged exit.
The Liverpool captain is set to reunite with former teammate Steven Gerrard, now in charge of Al Ettifaq, after a bid of £12M was accepted last week.
Henderson’s end to his 12-year stay on Merseyside, coupled with Fabinho’s, was expected to pave the way for Romeo Lavia’s arrival from Southampton.
But an initial offer understood to be an initial £35M was rejected by the Championship newcomers, who value the teenager at closer to £50M.