Liverpool star to rival Cristiano Ronaldo with massive Saudi Arabian transfer, as Barcelona plot double Klopp raid
An out-of-contract Liverpool player could come up against Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Arabian league next season after receiving a ‘huge offer’ from the Middle East, while Barcelona want two of Jurgen Klopp’s players, according to a report.
Five Liverpool players are due to become free agents at the end of the season. They are James Milner, Adrian, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. Liverpool chiefs are currently deciding whether to tie them down to new deals or let them leave Anfield on free transfers.
In February, Fabrizio Romano revealed how Klopp will sit down with Milner at the end of the campaign and decide whether he should be offered fresh terms. Given how useful the versatile midfielder has proven to be in the last few years, it is likely his contract will be extended by a further 12 months.
It is unclear whether veteran goalkeeper Adrian will be kept. He has not played since the Community Shield win over Manchester City last summer and is behind both Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher in the pecking order.
What we do know is that Firmino will end his time at Liverpool this summer. Last week, the forward told Klopp he would not be signing the two-year deal that has been offered to him. He wants to play more regularly so has chosen to find a new club.
And it is likely midfielders Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita follow him out of the side. They will both be allowed to go as Klopp plans a midfield overhaul ahead of next term.
Football Insider have now provided a big update on Firmino’s future. They claim the Brazilian has received a ‘huge offer’ from Saudi Arabia to play in their lucrative top flight.
This could result in Firmino coming up against former Manchester United rival Ronaldo in the Middle East. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has played for Al Nassr since January.
Liverpool man has offers from Saudi Arabia, Spain and Italy
However, the report does not reveal which Saudi Arabian club has sent Firmino the contract proposal. Therefore, there is also the possibility of him actually playing alongside the Portuguese legend if it is Al Nassr who have begun transfer talks.
Firmino is preparing for a wave of contract offers in addition to the Saudi Arabian one. Football Insider claim he has also become a target for European giants Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Those two sides have apparently ‘registered their interest’ in the 31-year-old. They are waiting to see if he would be open to joining them in the summer.
If Firmino decides to accept Barca’s advances, then he might not be the only player to swap Merseyside for Catalonia. According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barca are interested in Keita as well.
Their financial issues mean they are mainly looking at the free-agent market to improve the squad this summer. Firmino and Keita represent two of the best options around, hence the interest.
Firmino must now decide what his priorities are when leaving Liverpool. If he goes to Saudi Arabia, he would play regularly and also pick up a colossal annual wage.
But if he wants to continue testing himself at the top level, then he could consider Barca’s approach. The only trouble is that Xavi can already use Robert Lewandowski up front, and this could leave Firmino back on the bench once again.
Perhaps the Anfield hero should consider Inter instead. While they cannot quite offer the glamour of Barca, they will be in need of a new centre-forward if Romelu Lukaku heads back to Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are actively pursuing a player also wanted by Tottenham, according to one source.
