Real Madrid 'to sign Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino on free transfer' this summer

Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino will join Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, according to the latest reports.

Firmino has established himself as a fan favourite ever since joining Liverpool from Hoffenheim back in 2015.

His relationship with supporters was incapsulated during a 13-minute cameo appearance off the bench against Arsenal on the weekend.

The Brazilian nodded home Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross to level the scores with just three minutes of normal time to play, sending Anfield into raptures.

While Firmino's season has been plagued by injury, the 31-year-old has still managed to hit double figures, scoring 11 goals in all competitions this term.

However, the illusive number nine has decided to call time on his Liverpool career, confirming he would leave the club when his contract expires this June.

And it looks as though he will be heading to Los Blancos, who hit the Reds for six earlier in the campaign, dumping them from the Champions League 6-2 on aggregate.

Firmino to Real Madrid?

Spanish news outlet El Nacional claim that Real Madrid are keen lure Firmino to the Bernabeu this summer, following in the footsteps of Steve McManaman and Michael Owen.

The news will come as a blow to Jurgen Klopp who was reportedly trying to persuade the striker to make a U-turn on his decision and extend his stay in Merseyside.

Speaking last month, the Liverpool boss admitted he was surprised by Firmino's decision to leave, but confirmed there was no bad blood between them.

“Surprised? Yes, a little bit but I was not hit by surprise, actually it’s a normal thing to do," said Klopp.

“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.

“It’s pretty special and I loved the reception he got when he came on against United. He told me and then the only other thing he said is, ‘Now I want to bring this wonderful story to a positive end.’ So, that’s it. He is completely here and completely committed, how everybody can imagine. And that’s all we need to know.

“There’s no time for a goodbye or whatever in this moment, there’s enough time for that later in the season. Whenever he will come back, everybody knows that the song will still be for a long, long time in everybody’s ears I’m pretty sure.

“No problem. I think he’s one of these players that even when he would come with an opposition team, people would be really happy to see him.”