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Fabinho’s deal with Al-Ittihad in fix due to Brazil star’s dogs: Reports

Besides Fabinho, a raft of players who have played for Liverpool are expected to make their way to the Gulf nation in this transfer window.

Liverpool midfielder Fabinho's transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad has hit a snag apparently because of the player's two French bulldogs. (Twitter/Fabinho)

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In a bizarre twist, Liverpool midfielder Fabinho’s transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad has hit a snag apparently because of the player’s two French bulldogs.

According to a report by the Guardian, there are rules in Saudi Arabia banning “dangerous and aggressive dogs” from the nation. Further reports from Saudi Arabia, as per Express.co.uk, have revealed that the Brazil international is waiting for clarity on the situation before putting pen on paper.

The report further stated that the concern was raised after a document was leaked on Twitter which was labelled ‘Bringing pets to Saudi Arabia’ which states that dogs are only allowed to enter if they are going to be used for hunting, serve as a guard dog or if they are ‘seeing-eye dogs’ (for the blind).

However, a host of other reports claim that the delay in Fabinho’s transfer was ‘due to bureaucratic details’ with the dogs not being the problem.

Besides Fabinho, a raft of players who have played for Liverpool are expected to make their way to the Gulf nation in this transfer window.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson has been linked to Saudi Arabian team Al-Ettifaq with Liverpool reportedly agreeing in principle a deal worth 12 million pounds. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was recently hired as the manager of the Saudi Pro League team.

Henderson’s former Liverpool teammate Roberto Firmino has joined Al-Ahli.

Thiago Alcantara has also been linked to a move to Saudi as Liverpool attempt to remake their team after the past season’s disappointing campaign, which saw them miss out on the Champions League for the first time in seven years besides failing to win any trophy.

Other players like James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have also been shipped out by the club on permanent transfers while Fabio Carvalho has joined Leipzig on a season-long loan.