Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino on a free transfer this summer.
The Brazil international will say his final goodbyes to Liverpool fans on Sunday when he takes on Southampton in his penultimate game before his contract expires in June.
Injury has hampered Firmino’s final two seasons at Anfield, but the 31-year-old has still managed 10 Premier League goals this season and will be a sought-after signing this summer.
Several Italian teams, including AC Milan and Inter Milan, are thought to be interested in signing Firmino, while Barcelona has also been linked with a move for the forward.
Last month, reports claimed that Firmino had agreed to join Barcelona for the 2023-24 season, but the Brazilian is still to make a decision on his future.
While Barcelona is no longer reported to be interested in signing Firmino, journalist Fabrizio Romano believes that Real Madrid is considering a move.
Romano adds that no conversations with Firmino’s camp about a move have begun, but he has fans within the Bernabeu boardroom and is a name being discussed.
Karim Benzema is set to sign a new contract with Real Madrid for another season, but the club will be looking for a new striker ahead of an expected wave of departures.
Mariano Diaz, who is out of favour, will go when his contract ends at the end of next month, while Marco Asensio is not likely to sign a new contract and will also move on a free transfer.
Eden Hazard’s contract expires in a year, and while the Belgian has stated his intention to stay in Madrid, he is said to be garnering attention from MLS as Real Madrid attempts to unload him.
Los Blancos are thought to have identified four to five attacking alternatives for the summer transfer window, with big-name targets like Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe also mentioned.
Firmino, who joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim for £35.6 million in 2015, would be a low-cost transfer in comparison to Kane and Mbappe as he prepares to complete an eight-year trophy-laden career at Anfield.
The South American forward has 110 goals and 79 assists in 361 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side, including 12 goals and five assists in 34 games across all competitions this season.
Firmino has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Community Shield with Liverpool, who will also lose Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer on free transfers.
Firmino might make his final Liverpool appearance – and only his 13th in the current Premier League season – when the Reds face already-relegated Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday.
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