26 June 2023 , 06:16
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Roberto Firmino could take up an offer from Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli pushing to sign the free agent.
The Brazilian has recently left Liverpool after his contract expired meaning he is free to pick his next destination. Barcelona have been heavily linked with the No 9, who proved throughout the season that he can still cut it at the top level.
Firmino, though, is having to resist the huge sums on offer in the Middle East, with the Saudi outfit holding talks to sign the forward having had him high on their list of potential targets for months, according to CBS Sports. Al-Ahli are already preparing his medical tests should they get the answer they want later this week.
If the 31-year-old does make the switch, he could soon be joined by Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Other major names have moved to the Kingdom from the Premier League this summer, including Ruben Neves and N'Golo Kante, with others expected to follow. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema are also plying their trades in Saudi.
Firmino scored 13 times last term, but found minutes harder to come by with Liverpool's frontline becoming increasingly competitive. He once formed a fearsome trio alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, but now only Salah remains at Anfield.
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The Brazilian's best single-season effort came in 2017/18, when he scored 27 times. Several European sides are keen on Firmino's signature, although the player himself has given no indication as to what he'll do beyond the summer.
Roberto Firmino is looking for his next club (PA)Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to the player, underlining his qualities, which would be an asset to any team: "You are so football smart, in training sessions you are the first to get [understand] the exercise. It's like you saw it once: 'Ah, okay, go for it'. It's really special and it makes you the player you are, with all the technical stuff, but your football brain is incredible. That's all good and makes you the player you are."
There is growing concern about the influence of Saudi's riches on the Premier League with several of its big names being poached. Their recruitment drive is set to continue throughout the summer with Jamie Carragher among those to voice concern as Bernardo Silva is also linked.
He said on Twitter : "Bernardo Silva is in his peak years & has been one of the best players in Europe for the last five years! I wasn’t worried about the Saudi League taking players in their 30’s, a touch worried with players below the elite (Neves) but if this happens it feels like a game changer. Saudi have taken over Golf, the big Boxing fights & now they want to take over football!! This sports washing needs to be stopped!"