Liverpool and Premier League icon Roberto Firmino could be on his way to Spain and La Liga expert Terry Gibson admits he can ‘see’ the experienced Brazil international in the red and blue of Barcelona.
Finances dictate that, this summer, Barca’s transfer plans are likely to revolve around free agents. Albeit high profile, high quality free-agents.
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is one name on the Camp Nou hitlist. Reports linking PSG’s World Cup winning superstar Lionel Messi with a return to familiar surroundings are not going anywhere either.
The Daily Mail, meanwhile, believe that Roberto Firmino has ‘agreed’ to join Barcelona when his Liverpool contract expires in July.
Liverpool ace Roberto Firmino is reportedly joining Barcelona
At just 31, and with nine goals in just 12 Premier League starts this season, Firmino clearly has plenty of oil left in the tank, news of his departure catching Jurgen Klopp by surprise.
And Gibson, speaking on El Tel and Jon’s La Liga Weekly podcast, believes that Firmino could be a good fit for a Barca side who have enjoyed plenty of success when signing fellow 30-somethings Robert Lewandowski, Marcos Alonso and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
“I am sure there is going to be some more action this summer. Roberto Firmino is one name. I can kind of see that,” says Gibson, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United man.
“Gundogan they are looking at as well, and of course Messi. So, the market for them is free transfers. Players over a certain age that they think they can get a tune out of.
“Firmino is only 31. They tried with Aubameyang and it worked to a degree. He had an immediate impact, and they got some money when they sold him. From a business point of view, they can’t go out and compete with Man City to bring Haaland in.
“So there is a Barcelona type of player at the moment; aging but full of quality. Short-termism, but they have been forced into that situation.”
‘Many clubs’
Firmino has won almost everything there is to win since his £29 million move from Hoffenheim eight years ago; a Premier League title, a Champions League and FA Cup, among other honours.
Where Firmino ends up next depends largely on whether or not he wishes to stay on this side of the Atlantic. Brazilian giants Corinthians have already expressed an interest in bringing the 55-time international back home.
“He is a striker who would be on the agenda of any Brazilian club,” Corinthians chief Alessandro Nunes tells UOL. “For the quality, for everything he has already done, for the professional commitment we know he has.
“Without a doubt, if there is a possibility (to sign him), many clubs will be interested. But it is a very difficult question (about whether or not we can get him). Firmino has quality for the international scene.
“Corinthians today is not negotiating with any player to come or leave.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
