Real Madrid and Barcelona locked in battle for Liverpool legend

Stuart Telford

• 21 Apr 2023 21:28 BST
• 3 min read

Robert Firmino is a man in demand, with Real Madrid and Barcelona both reportedly tabling bids for the Brazilian, who is out of contract with Liverpool at the end of the season.

Firmino will bring eight glittering seasons at Liverpool to a close at the end of the current campaign, having told manager Jurgen Klopp that he has no intention to renew.

The Brazilian has contributed 109 goals and 79 assists from his 360 Liverpool appearances, winning the Champions League and Premier League along the way, but the big-money arrivals for Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo have impacted upon his minutes this season.

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Many players on the wrong side of 30 might find themselves taking a step down on the conclusion of their previous major contract, but perhaps not Firmino, who has both sides of the Clasico divide on his tail, according to reports.

Offers from Barca and Real

"A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Barcelona have submitted a 'huge-money' offer to Firmino as he prepares to choose his next club," report the aforementioned.

"It is believed that the Brazil international also has a lucrative offer on the table from Champions League holders Real Madrid."

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Firmino - who is still valued at €27.3 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm - would likely be a squad player at either side, with Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema in occupation of the No.9 shirts at Barca and Real respectively.

However, the Brazilian's ability to operate as a No.10 could give either club an extra option.

Barca are trawling the market for free transfers amid their financial dire straits, with Lionel Messi top of their shopping list which also includes Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan and Marco Asensio, the Madrid winger.

There is also speculation that next season will be Benzema's last in the Spanish capital, with the player previously admitting that he can imagine a return to first club Lyon before he retires.