Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino is being linked with a shock move to rivals Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed last month that Firmino had decided to leave the Reds when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.
It will bring to an end a hugely successful eight-year spell at Liverpool for the Brazilian, who has played a key role in the club's success under Klopp.
"Yes, he told me," said Klopp, confirming the striker's imminent departure. "Surprised? Yes, a little bit but I was not hit by surprise, actually it’s a normal thing to do.
Advert
“It could go two ways and it was one. And I respect that a lot. It’s completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club and with most of the players and stuff like this, and with the fans of course."
Firmino has scored 109 goals in 360 games for Liverpool, including 11 goals in 33 appearances in the current campaign, and is set to have a number of options once he becomes a free agent.
Several top European clubs have been linked with the Brazilian, including Napoli, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Chelsea 'interested in Firmino'
Two more clubs have reportedly entered the race to sign him, including one of Liverpool's Premier League rivals - Chelsea.
Turkish publication Sabah (via Liverpool Echo) claim both Chelsea and Galatasaray are interested in the 31-year-old.
It is claimed that Galatasaray director Erdem Timur is a 'big fan of Firmino and believes he would be a perfect fit for the club'.
The report adds that Timur is set to hold talks with the Liverpool forward's agent next week.
Sabah claim Chelsea are also 'interested' in Firmino but Galatasaray 'believe they can offer a longer contract and the prospect of Champions League football next season'.
Chelsea are desperately in need of a striker, having managed only 30 goals in 31 Premier League games this season.
But it is hard to see the big-spending Blues signing Firmino, with Romelu Lukaku set to return to the west London club from his loan at Inter Milan.
Liverpool fan favourite Firmino is also unlikely to want to damage his relationship with Reds fans by joining one of their biggest rivals, particularly when he has other offers on the table.
But you can never rule anything out in the transfer market, especially when Todd Boehly is involved.
Topics: Chelsea, Liverpool, Football, Premier League, Transfers, Roberto Firmino
Rory O'Callaghan