Roberto Firmino has reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of the current season. The Brazilian’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire this summer. He has made it clear that he will not renew it. According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, Real Madrid views the Brazilian as an affordable option to provide competition to or possibly replace Karim Benzema in the short term.
Benzema’s deal at the Santiago Bernabeu will expire at the end of the season, and at 35 years old, he is nearing retirement. On the other hand, Firmino, who is 31, continues to be one of the most intelligent forwards around.
Despite his age, Firmino is still an expert at link up play and creating chances for other forwards around him. He can still score goals as well, as demonstrated by his recent 87th-minute equalizer in Liverpool’s 2-2 league draw against Arsenal.
Firmino has been a valuable asset to Liverpool since he joined them in the summer of 2015. His significance is reflected in the fact that he is seventh on Liverpool’s all-time Premier League appearance list, with 253 appearances.
John Aldridge, a former Liverpool centre-forward, has said that Liverpool will miss Roberto Firmino when he leaves the club. Aldridge also referred to Firmino as a great player and wished him well for his future.
Liverpool’s signing of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo has affected Firmino’s playing time. However, he has still made 32 appearances across all competitions this season, starting 17. Firmino will leave the club as a legend, having won every major trophy during his memorable eight-year stay.
