Fulham boss Marco Silva says the club took the decision to ensure Fabio Carvalho stayed in West London until the end of the season after a move to Liverpool fell through on deadline day.
Liverpool were embroiled in an exciting transfer deadline day on Monday as the club, Carvalho and fans waited to see what would happen with the transfer.
After a long day, the Reds and Fulham came to an agreement on an £8 million fee for the 19-year-old, that would result in a loan back to Craven Cottage for the remainder of the season.
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The 11pm deadline came too fast and the deal fell through, but Liverpool remain in pole position to capture Carvalho in the summer.
Silva was intent that Fulham would retain their young star as they continue their push for promotion back to the Premier League.
"On the final day, the timing and the really important details are always complicated for everyone, not just for us, but for Fabio and for the club with interest in him,” said Silva.
“This is the main thing to say. That’s what happened in that moment.
“What I can say is that Fabio is really happy. The day after the situation, I saw him with the same smile on his face like always. He enjoyed the session and worked hard. That’s the main thing.”
And on Carvalho's future, he added: “I’m not 100 per cent sure.
“Even if I’m an optimistic person, I will not say that (we) have things under control. If I said that, I would be lying to you. But of course, it’s not 100 per cent sure that the player will leave. It is a scenario, one that is possible, definitely.
“The only thing I said to you all was that Fabio would be with us until the end of the season. In that moment I was 100 per cent sure that will happen because it was our decision. It was something I could control and the club could control.
“He’s with us until the end of the season. He’s really happy with us and the main thing for me is that. If you try more and more to renew (his contract) with him and he will not renew, or he goes to another club, this I can’t control or we can’t control as a football club.
“What I’m sure is to keep taking the best from him, I’m 100 per cent sure that Fabio will give his best for the club as well definitely, like he is doing so far. This is the main thing. Of course, after, if we as a football club we can do something, to try to change the scenario that would be perfect. But I can’t control that.”
Liverpool are hopeful of securing Carvalho in the summer with much of the deal completed, but foreign clubs are now able to try and agree a pre-contract with the youngster.
