Ex-Liverpool striker is the latest big name to join the Saudi Pro League
Former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino has signed a three-year contract with Saudi Pro-League club Al Ahli.
The 31-year-old was made a free agent at the end of June after his contract at Anfield expired. The forward has decided not to extend his tenure on Merseyside in search of a new challenge.
Firmino follows in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Steven Gerrard, who have all been part of the Saudi Pro League boom since the turn of the year. He will also work alongside former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy at Al Ahli.
The Brazilian joined Anfield from German club Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015, with former manager Brendan Rodgers and then-CEO Ian Ayre having to act quickly to fend off interest from other sides in Europe.
However, it wasn’t until the arrival of Jurgen Klopp in October 2015 that Firmino really found his footing on Merseyside, later establishing himself as the heart of one of Europe’s most devastating trios alongside Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
In total, he made 362 appearances for the Reds, scoring 111 goals as Liverpool won the Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup, Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup and Community Shield.
Speaking to ECHO ahead of his latest Anfield appearance in May, Firmino said: “We are leaving a great legacy. I am very thankful to God for that. I am so proud of what we have achieved here together. For everything the club has done for me and my family, I’m so happy with everything.”
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Not far from the asking price, Liverpool is willing to agree to a signing fee of £40 million – Report
Having signed two midfielders, Liverpool are still looking to make improvements to the center of the park and Romeo Lavia’s name is strongly linked.
Media reports have indicated that the Reds are preparing a bid to lure the young midfielder out of Southamton.
Latest reports indicate Liverpool are ready to accept a £40m fee to sign the 19-year-old this summer.
According to an exclusive story published by Football Insider, the Reds are willing to offer £40million for Lavia.
The move won’t be far from the South Coast club’s asking price, which is demanding around £50m for their prized asset.
The news source said that after signing Argentine international Alexis Mac Allister and Hungarian star Dominik Szoboszlai, Klopp is still keen to add another midfielder.
The German coach is also looking for a central defender to improve his backline
Mac Allister is primarily a central midfielder who likes to play in the number 8 position. He has chosen to wear the number 10 shirt for us.
On the other hand, Szoboszlai is obviously happy to play the role of the number 10 and will be wearing the iconic number 8 at Anfield. Now the Merseysiders need to strengthen the No.6 playbreaker position and that’s why Romeo Lavia is the focus.
The Belgian defensive midfielder put in some impressive performances for Southampton last season but failed to save the team from relegation.
Across all competitions, the teenager has made 35 appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
Do you think Romeo Lavia is really worth £50m?
