How Juventus are still chasing Liverpool's Firmino
Suraj Radia
- 6 Sept 2022 23:08 BST
- 3 min read
Roberto Firmino could still be a target for Juventus after the Italian side missed out on the Liverpool forward in the summer.
Firmino is into the final year of his deal at Anfield and is able to sign pre-contracts with European sides from January.
Juventus wanted to pair Firmino with forward Dusan Vlahovic but Liverpool were unwilling to sell, having already parted with Sadio Mane and Divock Origi during the summer window.
And a report from Italy suggests that Juventus may look to do a swap deal with Arthur Melo, who joined Liverpool on loan on deadline day.
However, it is believed that Juventus would need to get rid of a forward before signing Firmino, with loanees Moise Kean or Arkadiusz Milik the likely candidates.
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Will Liverpool let Firmino go?
Firmino has been an integral part of Liverpool’s team since arriving from Hoffenheim in 2015.
The Brazilian formed a blistering partnership with Mane and Mohamed Salah, peaking with 15 Premier League goals in the 2017-18 season.
However, Firmino found first team football hard to come by last season, making just 20 league appearances.
The 30-year-old has scored three times in five games this season but could leave after Liverpool signed Darwin Nunez for €100m in the summer.
🗣 "We're a team, what counts is what's best for Liverpool."
Roberto Firmino on the competition that the arrival of Darwin Nunez provides the squad pic.twitter.com/QOAB07GKZ7— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 6, 2022
Firmino has denied any notion of a rivalry between him and Nunez, saying he only wants the best for Liverpool and calling the Uruguayan his ‘friend’.
"Nunez is a good friend and I think he'll help us a lot," said Firmino.
"Obviously, there's always going to be competition in every position, but we're a team and what counts is what's best for Liverpool, getting the three points and what's best for the team.
"It comes down to the coach's decision, I'm always going to give my all so I can stand the best chance of playing."
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted he wants to keep Firmino, describing him as ‘essential’ in July.
"Bobby is crucial for us, the heart and soul of this team,” he told reporters ahead of the Liverpool's season opener against Manchester City in the Community Shield.
“Everything looks really good and I am absolutely fine. For me, there is no doubt about his quality, so yes, he is essential for us.”
