Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is a transfer target for Real Madrid as a free agent this summer.
Firmino has decided not to extend his contract with the Reds and is walking away from Anfield following the end of this season. The 31-year-old was in talks over a new deal at the club but will not extend his stay and instead pursue a new challenge, with multiple clubs interested in his signature as he is available as a free agent.
The Brazilian, having joined from Hoffenheim in 2015, has bagged 109 goals in 360 Liverpool appearances – forming a fearsome front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The arrivals of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo in recent times have ushered in a period of transition.
Firmino’s agent, Roger Wittmann, confirmed that despite indicating to the Reds his wish to leave this summer several months ago, he had not spoken to other clubs or planned his future beyond the campaign. This loyalty to the Reds ensured he would stay committed to the club until the end of the season.
The agent explained: “He has no clue what that means for him in the near future. He told us during the whole phase when we negotiated, ‘I don’t want to talk to anybody else, there’s no need to do that’. He said it was a decision with the club.
“This was the first time in my life he’s a free agent player and he said there was no need to talk to others! So he’s not motivated by other clubs or by financial terms – far away from that.
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“The club gave him the time as well, no pressure. And he never started to compare asking us to talk to different clubs. For us [it would be] easy but this was not his intention, it was just to find his own way. This is so far away from this normal business, believe me!”
It has now been reported by Diario AS that Firmino is viewed as a possibility for Madrid this summer if they do not spend big on a new striker. Karim Benzema’s future in the Spanish capital is uncertain with no other senior recognised strikers in their first-team squad.
Los Blancos have pursued a policy of signing high-profile free agents in recent seasons, such as David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger. This makes them particularly attractive as they can offer higher wages due to not committing to a transfer fee.
No talks have opened between the Spanish giants and Firmino, who would fit into Madrid’s system as he could drop deep and link-up with the midfield and wide forwards.
