Serie A giants 'ready to sign' Liverpool star but move is dependent on Chelsea flop

Serie A giants Inter Milan are interested in Liverpool star Roberto Firmino, but any move is dependent on the future of Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku, according to reports.

Firmino is among a contingent of long-serving Liverpool players out of contract in the summer, with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain also set to depart.

However, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has expressed a desire to keep Firmino, with the 31-year-old having notched up seven goals and three assists this term despite his bit-part role.

When asked why there had been a delay in renewing the Brazil international’s contract, Klopp said: “Bobby knows the situation here and what we think of him, that’s clear. And there is nothing else to say, there is no problem or whatever, it is just the situation. I can’t see any kind of problems there.

“He was [so important], he is. I think in the first part of the season we were not flying but Bobby was the only one who played a pretty good season. He was probably the only one who played a kind of normal season in a lot of games, at least.”

However, a potential complication in finalising a new contract for Firmino could be Inter’s interest.

Inter Milan want Firmino

According to Italian publication, Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan are keen to sign Firmino on a free contract in the summer.

The Italian outlet claims that the Nerazzurri are “ready to play their cards” to sign the Liverpool star, but face competition from several Premier League clubs.

Indeed, Firmino “could leave” the Reds in the coming months, though whether he moves to Inter is allegedly dependent on the future of Chelsea outcast Lukaku.

The Belgian striker signed for the Serie A side on loan from Chelsea last summer and the club have the option to make the deal permanent this summer.

Yet, according to Gazzetta dello Sport Inter are yet to have made a decision on Lukaku.

The 29-year-old returned to Inter a season after leaving the club to join Chelsea in a £97.5million deal. His season at Stamford Bridge was marked by poor performances on the pitch, and a public spat with then-Blues boss Thomas Tuchel.

Lukaku was allowed to return to Inter, where he had starred as the club claimed the Scudetto in 2021.

Despite much expectation, the international has since just claimed just two goals and one assist, after a series of injuries.