Barcelona are keen on bringing Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino to the Camp Nou in the summer transfer market, according to reports in Spain.
Firmino joined the Reds in 2015 from Hoffenheim and has formed parted of one of the most formidable attacking line-ups with Salah and Mane in recent years.
The trio have helped Liverpool win the Premier League for the first time, a sixth Champions League triumph as well as the FIFA Club World Cup.
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The Brazilian has become synonymous with the ‘false nine’ position at Anfield and whilst his teammates may score the majority of the Reds’ goals, Firmino’s importance cannot be underestimated.
Firmino has suffered from injuries and a lack of form this season as he has managed just seven starts from 17 appearances in all competitions this term, although he has provided seven goals and three assists in that time.
And now Spanish publication Nacional claim that Firmino could be ‘for sale’ in the summer transfer window and insist that ‘no one is missing Firmino’ this season due to Diogo Jota’s impressive numbers.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ‘does not rule out hanging the transferable sign for him next summer’ with the Premier League club ready to ‘ask for €20m(£16.7m)’.
The report adds that Firmino is ‘beginning to devalue’ and Liverpool ‘fear’ that they could be left with an ‘inactive’ player, if his ‘injury dynamics’ continue, on very high wages.
It is claimed that if he continues to devalue due to his injury problems then Barcelona ‘will be able to take advantage of him’.
Meanwhile, Klopp has had “a long talk” with Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones as he believes it is now time for the academy graduate to step up and start fulfilling his potential.
The 20-year-old has endured a difficult time since October, with a freak eye injury in training being followed by a Covid-enforced absence.
“I had a long talk last week with Curtis,” said Klopp ahead of the visit of Brentford, against whom Jones scored his only goal of the season back in September.
“I love the boy and the potential he has but we have to come to the next steps now and make sure he fulfils the potential he has on the pitch very often.
“You have these kind of conversations when you are not 100 per cent happy with the moment.
“He is very young but his potential is incredible and we both together have to find a way to show much more of him.
“It’s an ongoing process with Curtis and me but I know he he had a tricky time a long time out with the eye and then after that Covid which was not helpful.
“But now we try to make sure he gets rhythm and can show how good he can actually be.”