Liverpool FC are set to beat Manchester United and are in advanced negotiation with a fee of a 25m and a five year contract close to agreement with Hoffenheim star Roberto Firmino according to reports in Brazil.
Brazil news portal Globoesporte (Golbo Sport) that first reported that the Merseyside giants are close to agreement for the signature of the player and are set to beat, both, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Firmino’s agent had earlier quoted saying to German newspaper Bild, a I can only say that he will go to Englanda
The statement came amidst heavy rumors emanating from Brazil that the player was close to signing for Liverpool FC’s arch rivals Manchester United.
The Times then carried the news stoy that Liverpool FC had joined Manchester United in the race with the paper:
Liverpool are considering a move for Roberto Firmino, the Brazil midfielder, as they continue to prepare for the increasing likelihood that Raheem Sterling will join Manchester City this summer.
Firmino, an attacking player who is also admired by Manchester United, is set to move to the Barclays Premier League, according to Roger Wittmann, his agent, and having watched Firmino repeatedly last season, Liverpool are deliberating over whether to harden their interest in him.
In a news that will delight the Liverpool FC fans, the source of the news, Globo Esporte are now reporting that the interest has been made concrete and a deal is now closer.
The report says that Liverpool FC are now favorites in the ‘English dispute’ with Manchester United and Manchester City.
Any likelihood of the deal hinges on a positive response from Hoffenheim, but negotiations between the two clubs are in advanced stages and is thought to be close to agreement.
The transfer will not be closed for less than a 25 million and the contract shall be five years for the player as per the report.
Liverpool vira favorito e estA? perto de contratar Roberto Firmino http://t.co/sBs087RMA0 pic.twitter.com/VbnNvzOc9g
a globoesporte.com (@globoesportecom) June 22, 2015
The 2 reporters who wrote the Firmino to LFC article are covering Brazil’s training camp in Chile so they very possibly have close contacts.
a Sele A?o Brasileira (@BrazilStats) June 22, 2015
Just contacted one of the writers. He insists that Liverpool are favourites but refuses to say the deal is certain “until the player signs”.
a Sele A?o Brasileira (@BrazilStats) June 22, 2015
Firmino is with the national team in Chile, currently, playing in the Copa America. On Sunday, he scored the second goal in the 2-1 victory over Venezuela. The source of the news is indeed, very reliable. However, as long as the agreement is ‘close’ and is not ‘closed’, there exist a grain of doubt, especially given how many players Liverpool FC have come ‘close’ to signing but they’ve eventually moved elsewhere or signed new contracts. (Mkhitaryan, Willian, Salah, Konoplyanka, Diego Costa, Shaqiri etc.) If Liverpool FC do pull this one off, it will be some coup, given that Manchester United and Manchester City are chasing Roberto Firmino, as well.