Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Liverpool rush to extend attacker’s contract after electric start leads to interest from dangerous suitors

Roberto Firmino and Luis Diaz

Liverpool are reportedly working on a new contract for Roberto Firmino amid claims the forward is wanted by a new suitor in Italy.

Many were wondering how Firmino would fit into Jurgen Klopp’s plans this season. Liverpool spent a club-record £85million to sign Darwin Nunez from Benfica in the summer. And with Diogo Jota also available to Klopp, Firmino appeared to be third in the pecking order at centre-forward.

However, the Brazilian has completely turned the situation around with a fantastic start to the campaign. He has managed eight goals and four assists in just 13 appearances. Should Firmino continue finding the net at his current rate, then he could have his best ever season in a Liverpool shirt.

Firmino was exceptional against Bournemouth on August 27, registering two goals and a hat-tricks of assists during a 9-0 thrashing of the Cherries. He has since added to his tally with Premier League goals against Newcastle, Brighton (2) and Arsenal.

The player was also in from the start when Liverpool came up against Rangers in the Champions League on October 12. He proved Klopp was right to select him by netting two goals and chipping in with an assist for Nunez.

It is now up to Nunez and Jota to replace Firmino in the starting lineup.

Following Nunez’s arrival at Anfield, Firmino became a target for other teams. Italian giants Juventus pushed hardest to sign him.

Max Allegri’s side even sent Liverpool a £19.5m offer, but this was laughed off by Reds officials.

Liverpool ace wanted in Italy

Firmino is once again picking up interest from Italy, though things are different this time around. Firstly, it is no longer just Juve who want to take the 31-year-old to Serie A.

Secondly, the interest is stemming from Firmino’s brilliant form, rather than him being low in the pecking order at Liverpool.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercatoweb, AC Milan are rivalling Juve for Firmino’s signature. And the Rossoneri could be seen as dangerous for Liverpool, given the fact they have already signed Divock Origi from Klopp’s team this year.

It seems Milan want to reunite Firmino with Origi to bolster their forward line. They hope to sort out a pre-contract agreement with Firmino and his agent in January. This can happen under the Bosman ruling as Firmino’s Liverpool deal expires at the end of the season. Juve are planning a similar free-transfer move of their own.

New Roberto Firmino contract planned

Liverpool chiefs are fully aware of the situation. And the report claims they are rushing to finalise the goalscorer’s new deal on Merseyside.

They need this to be agreed before the turn of the new year. This would prevent Milan or Juve from being able to sign him on a free.

It will be interesting to see what kind of contract Liverpool come up with. Firmino is enjoying a rich vein of form and therefore deserves a pay rise. But he is also the wrong side of 30 and so Liverpool want will want to avoid paying him too much.

At 31, the new deal could also be Firmino’s last as a player. Liverpool fans would love to see him retire with them after all he has done for the club.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been told to drop their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe and instead go after another household name.