Roberto Firmino could become the youngest player to join Saudi Arabia from Europe after leaving Liverpool. Discussions about a change are still ongoing.
Firmino will officially become a free agent on Saturday after his contract at Anfield expires, allowing him to move to another club.
The Brazilian turned down an extended stay at Liverpool to pay tribute to the next generation of strikers but was expected to stay in Europe.
Instead, it has now been reported that Saudi pro-league club Al-Ahli are in talks over a deal for the 31-year-old, with a medical already scheduled for this week.
The journalist Fabrizio Romano reported, among other things, the news. Talks are ‘ongoing’ as the club ‘awaits the player’s final decision’.
Al-Ahli, one of four clubs now owned by the Saudi royal family’s public investment fund, has offered a three-year deal. Saudi journalist Khaled Al-Rasheed even claimed that the two sides “had reached a final agreement”.
If Firmino gives the green light, a medical is already scheduled between Wednesday and Friday this week, which could see him follow a string of top players in Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo made the move in January and has since been followed by Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves and Kalidou Koulibaly.
This is part of a major reorganization where the PIF took over Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal while four other clubs – Qadsia SC, Al-Diriyah Club, Al-Ula and Al-Suqoor FC – are controlled by public companies.
The Saudi Pro League has expanded to 18 teams, with each team now able to field a maximum of eight foreign players.
Rather than individual clubs signing these players, it has been explained that the PIF negotiates deals before the new arrivals are actually split between teams.
It’s not the first time Firmino has been linked to a move to Saudi Arabia, with reports dating back to the beginning of the year.
Earlier this month, AFP also reported that the No. 9 was on a list of coveted players, alongside the aforementioned Benzema and Kante, as well as Hugo Lloris, Luka Modric, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
Busquets has since opted to join Inter Miami, reuniting with Lionel Messi in MLS, the Argentine himself turned down a lucrative move to the Middle East.
The Mail also reported Saudi interest in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, although he had previously hinted that he wanted to stay in the Premier League.
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