After remaining tight-lipped about his future, the ‘Liverpool soccer guru’ has finally decided on a destination. Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal are apparently targeting the out-of-contract Liverpool striker.
“I understand that Al-Hilal are in talks to sign Roberto Firmino,” European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano reported on social media on June 26 (KST).
Firmino, a Brazilian striker who thrived at Liverpool, will become a free agent when his contract expires on June 30.
Firmino has scored 111 goals and provided 79 assists in 362 appearances for Liverpool since joining the club in 2015. He thrived as a false nine under Jürgen Klopp, forming one of Europe’s best attacking lines alongside Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in his prime. The so-called “Mane-Nou-Lah” attacking line.
Firmino, who is out of contract and leaving Liverpool after eight years, has been linked with a number of top European clubs, including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Newcastle, Juventus, and Napoli, but he has kept his mouth shut and sweated it out with his current club, scoring a goal in his final game for Liverpool.
However, it has recently emerged that Al Hilal, who are on the hunt for Premier League talent, have made an offer for Firmino and he is said to be open to the idea.
Jang’s club, Al Hilal, has recently added a string of world-class players to its roster, much like local rivals Al Ittihad and Al Nasr, with their deep pockets.
On April 24, Al Hilal signed former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Nabil Neves, a former teammate of Hwang’s. Neves surprised many with his move to the Middle East, as he is a Premier League midfielder and is only 26 years old, having been born in 1997.
According to local British media, Al Hilal paid £47 million for Neves from Wolverhampton. The club also promised Neves, who was earning £80,000 a week at Wolverhampton, at least a threefold increase in salary.
After the Neves signing, Al Hilal quickly followed up with another Premier League signing, announcing on social media on June 26 that they had signed Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Koulibaly, who until last year was regarded as one of the best defenders in Europe while playing for SSC Napoli, moved to Chelsea ahead of the 2022/23 season, but a poor year led to his departure from the club. 안전놀이터
According to Romano, Al Hilal paid €23 million for Koulibaly.
Having bolstered their midfield and defense, Al Hilal now turned their attention to strikers, and Firmino, who is set to become a free agent and was once a top European striker, caught their eye.
“Negotiations are ongoing between Al Hilal and Firmino, and Al Hilal is waiting for the player’s final decision,” Romano explained.
“Al Hilal is preparing for a medical in case Firmino gives the ‘green light’,” he added, indicating that the club is serious about signing him.
It will be interesting to see if Al Hilal add another Premier League player to their squad this summer.