Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino is reportedly one of the players FC Barcelona are looking at as they attempt to recruit a replacement for Memphis Depay.
Firmino has been an integral player for Liverpool since joining them from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim in 2015.
With his 107 goals in 348 appearances, he has helped Jurgen Klopp’s side win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup in recent years.
Liverpool have endured a decline this season but Firmino has been in pretty good form with his 13 goal involvements in 21 appearances.
His long-term future is in doubt though as his current contract is set to expire in the summer. The recent additions of Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz may also see Firmino fall down the pecking order if he stays beyond this season.
Klopp recently suggested that he is keen to keep Firmino at the club long-term but Spanish outlet Fichajes are reporting that Barcelona are interested in him.
The Spanish giants are in the market for a new attacker following Memphis Depay’s move to rivals Atletico Madrid. The departure of the former Man Utd flop leaves Barcelona with Robert Lewandowski as their main centre-forward option.
FIchajes state that Barcelona ‘need a new striker who is capable of filling Depay’s position and being the substitute for Lewandowski’.
They have been ‘looking for a striker for weeks’. From their new signing, ‘they are looking for something good, beautiful and above all cheap’… which sounds about right given Barcelona’s financial troubles.
The report cites a separate story from Sport, which references over ten potential targets. But Fichajes have whittled it down to five with Firmino one player mentioned.
Barcelona are said to be keen to ‘test’ Liverpool by offering them a ‘small amount’ to sign Firmino now instead of it being a free transfer in the summer.
Moussa Dembele, Dries Mertens, Luis Muriel and Goncalo Guedes are the other four players brought up along with Firmino.
It remains to be seen if Firmino would be open to joining Barcelona, but it appears that his preference is to stat on at Liverpool.
“It’s incredible playing high-level football here with great players, stars of the game,” Firmino said in the latest issue of the official Liverpool magazine.
“I’m happy here and I intend to stay here and help Liverpool FC.”
He added: “There’s no other league that comes close.”
“It’s a dream for all players to win the Premier League and Champions League. It’s history, a huge legacy. When it happened we felt tremendously privileged, grateful to God for having given this to us.
“Our thinking is that while here on earth we continue to make history and leave a legacy here at the club. We work hard and always look to win these competitions.”
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