Liverpool 'Offer Roberto Firmino To Barcelona For £16.7m This Summer'
Liverpool would be willing to sell Roberto Firmino for around €20m (£16.7m) this summer and have already offered the striker to Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.
Firmino has played a key role in Liverpool’s success in recent years, scoring 94 goals in 310 games for the club since joining from Hoffenheim in 2015.
However, the 30-year-old Brazilian has struggled with injuries this season and is no longer the first-choice centre forward at Anfield, with Diogo Jota now preferred by Jurgen Klopp.
Firmino has started just five of Liverpool’s 21 games in the Premier League this season and Klopp is reportedly willing to sell the Brazil international.
According to Catalan publication El Nacional, Barcelona is a potential destination for Firmino, who has scored seven goals in his 18 appearances this term.
The Catalan giants remain short on options up front after Sergio Aguero’s retirement earlier this season.
Barcelona completed the £55m signing of versatile forward Ferran Torres from Manchester City earlier this month but the report claims head coach Xavi could also make a move for Firmino in the summer if he avoids further injury.
Firmino is set to feature more regularly for Liverpool this month, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Brazilian started on Sunday as Liverpool beat Brentford 3-0 at Anfield to move above Chelsea into second in the Premier League.
Though he didn’t manage to score, Firmino helped set up Liverpool’s third for Takumi Minamino.
Firmino is expected to start when Liverpool return to action on Thursday against Arsenal in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
The tie is delicately poised after a goalless draw at Anfield in midweek.
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Topics: Liverpool, La Liga, Premier League, Transfers, FC Barcelona, Liverpool
Rory O'Callaghan