Liverpool are trying to start a public bidding war to sell their £26m player

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Liverpool’s squad could look a whole lot different by the time the transfer deadline comes around.

There are now just over three weeks to go until we know exactly who will be playing for the Reds for at least the first-half of 2024/25.

In the meantime, Liverpool are preparing to do both incoming and outgoing business.

The Reds have identified a defensive midfield target and look set to make their first addition of the window very soon indeed.

On the flipside, a whole host of players could still leave the first-team squad. And it looks like Arne Slot and Liverpool are trying to squeeze as much money they can out of one sale.

Liverpool looking for Fabio Carvalho battle

It became a hallmark of Michael Edwards’ first stint at Anfield that he was able to secure big fees when selling fringe players.

FSG’s CEO of football sold the likes of Dominic Solanke and Jordon Ibe for over asking-price and there were others, too.

These days, it is a slightly trickier market. As seen by the fact that Liverpool have still been unable to move someone such as Nat Phillips on for what they see as a fair price, it can be harder to shift unwanted players.

This summer may be no different. Consequently, it sounds like the Reds are trying to get full value in order to sell Fabio Carvalho.

READ MORE: Phil Thompson names the former Liverpool player Fabio Carvalho reminds him of

Carvalho has impressed Slot in pre-season and could still have a future at Liverpool. But it’s also safe to say that the 21-year-old has a market this summer.

And according to Southampton-based BBC journalist Adam Blakemore, the Reds are doing their best to try and capitalise on that interest.

“That popped out yesterday morning on the BBC Sport website and I thought, well, that looks like Liverpool have briefed about that,” Blakemore says of Southampton’s £15m bid for Carvalho being turned down.

“I look at these things and the way it was written, that’s Liverpool saying ‘come and get him, Southampton could pay about 15, who wants him?’. That’s what that was and saying that [price] is not enough.”

How much is Fabio Carvalho worth?

There’s little question that Carvalho has been one of the big winners of Liverpool’s tour to the USA. But it’s also probably true that that will suit the Reds as well.

Having seen how good he can be, you’d imagine that Slot would happily keep the former Fulham youngster in his squad.

But it has also meant that Liverpool can justifiably ask for a bigger fee in order to sell Carvalho, who would still not be a starter for the Reds. It’s a win-win.

With Liverpool turning down £15m, though, it does beg the question of what figure they are trying to get the likes of Southampton and Leicester to reach.

According to reports, Liverpool want around £26m for Carvalho. And judging off his potential and also what he showed in the Championship last season, we’d say that’s about fair. Let’s see if anyone takes the bait.