Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino is reportedly leaning towards signing a new contract with the Reds amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
The Brazil international has now entered the final six months of his current deal with Jurgen Klopp‘s team and could depart on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Should he wish, Firmino would be able to discuss a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from this month, and he is not expected to be short of offers if he departs Anfield.
Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr, who recently completed the signing of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, have previously been tipped to move for the 31-year-old.
However, journalist Florian Plettenburg states that Firmino is currently of the mind to extend his stay at Liverpool, and “positive” talks are ongoing in the background.
Plettenburg states that Firmino is in no rush to make a decision on his next career move, although clubs in Saudi Arabia are attentive to the situation, but Al-Nassr are not one of them.
The former Hoffenheim man has struggled to stay fit over the past couple of seasons but has posted a respectable set of numbers this term, scoring nine goals and providing four assists in 21 matches across all tournaments.
Firmino’s total for the Reds now stands at 107 goals and 78 assists from 348 games since joining in the summer of 2015, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield in the process.
Liverpool have added to their attacking ranks with the big-money signings of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo in recent months, while Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Fabio Carvalho are also competing for places.
Gakpo’s transfer from PSV Eindhoven has officially been completed after the formalities of his £37m move went through on Tuesday, and Firmino’s future at Anfield has been called into further question since the Dutchman’s signing.
However, Klopp denied that Gakpo’s signing would have an impact on Firmino’s future when asked by reporters in a press conference last month, saying: “No. No. Not from me, absolutely not. There is no impact, if you mean with an impact that Bobby might [be moved on].
“You have to ask Bobby about that, but from my point of view, noWe have talks with Bobby and I can say, from my point of view, I want him, definitely, to stay.”
Firmino has been sidelined with a calf problem since the World Cup break, but the striker could return in time for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield.
However, the Reds have been dealt a bitter blow with Virgil van Dijk, who may need to see a specialist after scans revealed that the hamstring injury he suffered against Brentford was worse than first feared.
SOURCE: sportsmole.co.uk
