Barcelona reach agreement to sign Liverpool star

Stuart Telford

• 22 Apr 2023 17:18 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona have reportedly agreed terms with Robert Firmino, who is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Firmino's future has been a source of much speculation since he told Jurgen Klopp in March that he would not be extending his eight-year stay at Anfield beyond the summer.

The Brazilian has been a popular figure in Liverpool, helping fire them to Champions League and Premier League glory since joining from Hoffenheim in an €41 million deal in July 2015.

READ: Firmino in agent's 'first' after deciding to leave Liverpool

But this season he has seen his minutes impinged upon by big-money signings Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, who signed last summer and winter respectively, and he has now settled on his next step, with Barcelona set to benefit.

Firmino to Barca

"Roberto Firmino has agreed a deal to join Barcelona when his Liverpool contract ends in June," reports Josue Seixas for the Daily Mail.

"Klopp has made it clear he would have liked to keep Firmino, 31, but the Brazilian has made up his mind to move on to a new challenge."

READ: Fabrizio Romano reveals Liverpool’s three midfield targets

Firmino will leave as a firm fan favourite, a player who played with a smile on his face for most of his eight-year stay, which has included 109 goals and 79 assists from his 360 appearances in all competitions.

Barca's move for Firmino is testament to the fact that they will be operating almost exclusively in the free transfer market this summer, after La Liga told them to reduce their debt by €200m.

Lionel Messi looks likely to join Firmino at Camp Nou next season, with his return from Paris Saint-Germain drawing closer - although where Firmino fits in with Messi at No.10 and Robert Lewandowski up front remains to be seen.

Firmino is still valued at €27.3 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, so Barca are picking up incredible value for money either way.