Liverpool are planning to hold talks with Roberto Firmino regarding a new contract, according to a report from The Mirror.Â
The lowdown: Stellar servant
Signed for £29m from Hoffenheim in 2015 (BBC), the Brazil international has proven to be a superb signing for the Reds over the ensuing seven years on Merseyside.
The 30-year-old has scored 98 times and provided 74 assists in 327 outings for the Anfield club, playing a pivotal role in the Champions League, Premier League, Club World Cup and 2021/22 domestic cup double successes.
Now into the final 12 months of his contract (Transfermarkt), Firmino appears to have an uncertain future on Merseyside, but the Anfield hierarchy appear keen to resolve that, having tied down Mohamed Salah to a new deal earlier this week.
The latest: ‘Planning talks’
As per The Mirror, Liverpool are believed to be ‘planning talks’ with the 55-cap Brazil star over a new contract.
It’s claimed that Firmino is ‘attracting interest’ from Juventus amidst reported admiration from the Reds for the Serie A club’s French midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
The report added that should the discussions – which are likely to be carried out by sporting director Julian Ward – not go to plan, the club could choose to ‘cash in’ on the 30-year-old this summer to avoid losing the man recently hailed as a ‘genius’ by journalist Leanne Prescott for nothing next year.
The verdict: Give him the contract
Whilst selling the Brazilian during the ongoing transfer window as opposed to losing a £28.8m-valued asset for free would make business sense, FSG must do everything in their power to keep Firmino in situ.
Although the skilful false nine endured a somewhat difficult 2021/22 campaign, scoring 11 times and providing five assists in 35 outings during an injury-affected season, the arrival of Darwin Nunez should alleviate much of the pressure in terms of playing time and could allow for more impactful performances from the 30-year-old when called upon.
Will Firmino sign a new deal at Liverpool?
Yes
No
That reduced need to start consistently may well prolong Firmino’s career, and having never truly relied on electric pace, the intelligent forward may well reinvent himself once again with all of his elite-level experience accrued over time.
Whilst it’s unlikely that the Samba star will receive a significant pay rise at this juncture of his career, fresh terms with an extended stay should suffice, and Jurgen Klopp would no doubt be delighted to see one of his most influential players on and off the pitch stay at Anfield for another few years.
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