Inter Milan have now made contact with the agent of Roberto Firmino to discuss a transfer from Liverpool. The forward is set to be out of contract at Anfield at the end of this season.
That is according to Gazzetta dello Sport, which reports San Siro chiefs are exploring luring Firmino to Italy. The Nerazzurri are keen to have alternative attacking options ready should Romelu Lukaku not stay long-term. He returned on loan in June but has struggled to shine.
Lukaku must produce a remarkable end to the season to convince Inter Milan to target his permanent transfer from Chelsea. The Blues are loath to give any discounts on the £97.5m they paid in August 2021. While the Belgian’s salary also makes a permanent return tricky.
In the meantime, Inter Milan are studying the market and appreciate what Firmino would offer in Lukaku’s place. The San Siro natives also like Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram with the Frenchman out of contract in June. Yet Bayern Munich now lead the race.
So, talks have begun between Inter Milan and Firmino’s agent to test the water for his free transfer from Liverpool. The Nerazzurri accept the switch would be hard to negotiate. But the Serie A side see the 31-year-old as being a perfect fit at the club under Simone Inzaghi.
Inter Milan are discussing Firmino’s transfer while Liverpool debate a new contract
Inter Milan will give Lukaku the rest of the season to show he deserves a transfer while the chance to sign Firmino bubbles in the background having not yet penned a new contract at Liverpool. He last earned fresh terms in 2018 worth £180k-a-week to keep him until 2023.
Firmino, meanwhile, has already stated his desire to stay at Liverpool beyond his contract. Fabrizio Romano quoted the 55-cap Brazil international noting in January: “I’m happy here and I intend to stay here.” He also added that the Reds had offered him a short-term deal.
Liverpool signed Firmino way back in June 2015 from TSG Hoffenheim for £29m. He has hit 107 goals and assisted 78 in 349 games for the Anfield outfit across all competitions since. The Maceio native has also scored nine and assisted four over 22 games so far this season.
A calf injury kept Firmino from six Premier League matches but he returned as a substitute against Everton on Monday. The forward’s availability is a big boost for Jurgen Klopp, who believes the Brazilian is ‘complete’, as he is the Reds’ third-best goalscorer so far this term.
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