[Simon]

Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Monaco midfielder Fabinho in a deal that could be worth more than £40m.The Champions League finalists hope to make the Brazil international, 24, their first signing of the summer for a fee of around £39m (45m euros).A deal would also feature performance-related payments, which could come to a further £4m (5m euros).Fabinho’s arrival will all but guarantee Emre Can leaves the club, with his contract set to expire.Can has been repeatedly linked with Juventus and only played the closing stages of the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday.Though Fabinho has played at full-back since joining Monaco initially on loan in 2013, he has excelled as a defensive midfielder and Liverpool are thought to see his future in that role at Anfield.