Liverpool are reportedly prepared to extend the contract of one of their star forwards in Roberto Firmino, whose current deal expires in 2023.
According to a report from Football Insider, Liverpool are finally ready to offer a new deal to one of their attacking stars. Much has been made of the club’s impasse with Mohamed Salah over a renewal, but it appears the Merseyside giants are willing to take a pause in Egyptian’s contract talks; instead, they are prepared to hand a new deal to Roberto Firmino.
Formerly of Hoffenheim, Firmino is one of the prongs of Liverpool’s revered front three, consisting of him, Salah and Sadio Mane. The 30-year-old attacker had joined the club back in 2015, and since then, he has racked up over 300 competitive appearances for the Reds, scoring almost 100 goals.
Firmino’s tally of 73 assists is also impressive, with the Brazilian notably playing a vital role in Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League and Premier League triumph a couple of years ago. However, in recent years, Firmino’s role in the first team has dwindled due to recurring injuries, combined with Diogo Jota’s growing prominence in Jurgen Klopp’s plans.
However, the 30-year-old’s struggles have not deterred Liverpool, who are prepared to prolong his stay at Anfield by offering a contract extension. The player’s current deal at the club expires in 2023, with the attacker notably even being linked with a move to Barcelona before they eventually opted to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Roberto Firmino’s potential extension at Anfield, though, may not bode well for the majority of the Liverpool fans who have urged the club to extend the deal of Salah and Mane. Both the players will see their contracts expiring in 2023, with reports suggesting the Reds may not get to keep hold of all three of their revered attacking trifecta.
Barcelona are already eyeing a potential summer swoop for Salah, though only as an alternative for top target Erling Haaland. The Egyptian wizard has claimed in the past that he is keen on prolonging his stay at Anfield, leaving the ball in Liverpool’s court.
The Reds have been quite active in the market lately, bagging Luis Diaz in January and are linked with a summer swoop for Fulham starlet Fabio Carvalho. It does signal a potential transition as Jurgen Klopp looks to build the core of a future attack, to be led by Jota, Diaz and potentially, Firmino.