According to Corriere dello Sport, Liverpool have agreed to sell Roberto Firmino to Juventus, a player Jürgen Klopp wants to keep at Anfield.
What’s the story?
Well, it was Fabrizio Romano who claimed that the German wants the Brazil international to stay on Merseyside.
However, if Corriere dello Sport are to be trusted, Liverpool have ignored Klopp’s wishes.
The Italian news outlet believe a fee of £19m has been agreed between the Reds and Juventus, with Firmino now closing in on a move to Turin.
Juventus had hoped to sign Timo Werner from Chelsea, and also attempted to sign Manchester United forward Anthony Martial.
However, after struggling in their respective pursuits of the pair, Juventus now seem to have struck a deal to sign Firmino.
The £180,000-a-week man only made ten starts in the Premier League last season, as Diogo Jota shone in the first half of the campaign, before Luis Diaz muscled his way into the starting XI from January onwards.
Firmino has also entered the final 12 months of his contract, so Liverpool are seemingly keen to recoup some money for their No.9 this summer rather than lose him for nothing in 2023.
In what looks likely to be his final season at Liverpool, the 30-year-old scored 11 goals, while also providing five assists.
Liverpool must keep Roberto Firmino
In our view, Liverpool cannot afford to lose another forward after already allowing Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino to leave this summer.
Klopp needs depth in his attack if he is to push Manchester City all the way again this season, and as things stand, Liverpool’s frontline is weaker than it was last term.
Furthermore, Pep Guardiola has added Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to his attack, so Liverpool cannot put themselves in a position where a few injuries up front could derail their season.
Hopefully, Liverpool hang on to Firmino, or at least find a replacement for the South American, as it could make or break their 2022/23 campaign if they get this deal wrong.
