Fulham teenager Fabio Carvalho has broken his silence over a proposed transfer to Liverpool this summer.
The Reds are closing in on a deal worth an initial £5million to sign the 19-year-old attacking midfielder in the forthcoming transfer window having failed in an attempt to complete a move in January.
Fulham boss Marco Silva has previously admitted he expects Carvalho to depart at the end of the season, despite the Cottagers having secured promotion back to the Premier League on Tuesday night with a 3-0 win over Preston North End in which the youngster scored his 10th goal of the campaign.
And now Carvalho has admitted he has been impacted by the ongoing speculation over his anticipated move to Anfield.
“I've tried not to let it affect me but I'm only human," he said, speaking to the official Fulham matchday programme. "I'm obviously aware of those stories, even if it's only subconsciously. I think it has affected me a bit.
"But what I can say is that I'm determined to keep working hard for Fulham. Whenever I step out on to the pitch wearing a Fulham shirt, I will give it my all. As far as the future goes, whatever happens, happens. My focus is on the here and now.”
Liverpool could eventually pay more than £7.5m for Carvalho, and are believed to be negotiating a 20% sell-on clause for Carvalho with personal terms having already been agreed.