Fabio Carvalho has been given a ringing endorsement ahead of his summer switch to Liverpool.
The Portuguese youngster has excelled in the Championship with Fulham this season, playing a stellar role in helping the Cottagers seal the title. The 19-year-old has chipped in with 10 goals and eight assists across 36 league games and that form persuaded Liverpool to sanction a deal for him.
Whilst confirmation has yet to come directly from the Reds, it appears only a matter of time before the switch is officially confirmed.
Despite the youngster's contract with Fulham nearing its expiry, Jurgen Klopp's side will be permitted to pay a tribunal fee due to his age.
Whilst Carvalho himself has yet to entertain talk of a move to Anfield, Fulham director of football Tony Khan said this week: "We have made a deal that is best for the club and, since that agreement, it’s worked out wonderfully because he has been such a valuable part of the promotion."
To that end, Saturday saw Carvalho make what is likely to have been his final outing for his current employers. And whilst it did not go the way they would have expected - losing 4-0 away at Sheffield United who now enter the play-offs - he received a glowing reference from Fulham chief Marco Silva.
Silva believes that had he arrived as manager earlier last summer - he was appointed on July 1 - he would have persuaded Carvalho to extend his stay in West London. Speaking post-match at Bramall Lane, Silva said: “I think he (Carvalho) has a brilliant career in front of him. He is a top top talent in my opinion.
“Unfortunately for me, I probably arrived a little bit late in this football club. With more time, he would have renewed his contract before. Definitely. It was a tough moment for us that we couldn't renew the contract before. And of course when a player that age starts to play the way he played week in, week out, doing very good performances every single match.
“There were many clubs around him, a lot of rumours around him, and (it) was really tough for us to renew his contract. It is not not normal for a boy of 19 years old, from the first two months of the season, (to have) a lot of rumours around him from clubs around Europe. He never lost the focus, he let other people take care of it, and he really helped our football club to get promotion, to be champions. For a boy of 19 it is a fantastic sign and I believe that he has all the qualities to perform at a high level and to keep improving.
“Unfortunately he will not be in our shirt next season but I wish all the best for him.”
Despite the heavy loss, Fulham finish the season on 90 points having wrapped up the league title earlier in the week. Silva added: "It wasn't the way we wanted to finish the season. It was a tough result for us."
