Liverpool have agreed a deal with German club Hoffenheim to sign attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino for £29 million.
BREAKING: Sky Sources: Liverpool agree deal with Hoffenheim to sign forward Roberto Firmino. #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) June 23, 2015
It is understood that Firmino has already agreed terms with the Reds, but he will need to be granted a work permit to play in England.
Firmino joined Hoffenheim in January 2011 for £3.52 million when he was 19, scoring 49 goals in 153 appearances for the Bundesliga side. He also scored seven goals in 33 games last season.
Prior to that, he played for Figueirense’s U19 club, Figueirense, and Tombense in Brazil, starting his career as an 18-year-old.
Priced at £29 million, the 23-year-old is set to become Liverpool’s second most expensive signing behind Andy Carroll in 2011 when the Reds signed him for £35 million from Newcastle United.
In contrast, Liverpool only paid £25 million when they signed Adam Lallana from Southampton in 2014.
The forward, who can play anywhere across the front three, will join other recent additions to Anfield such as striker Danny Ings, midfielder James Milner, defender Joe Gomez, and goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.
According to Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports News, Firmino has verbally agreed to sign within the next 24 hours. This deal could restart Manchester City’s pursuit of striker Raheem Sterling, for whom City have previously made two rejected bids.
In addition, Firmino’s arrival at Merseyside could strengthen Liverpool’s attacking options, something they were hoping to accomplish over the summer.
