LIVERPOOL HAVE MADE their fifth signing of the summer transfer window with the capture of Brazilian attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino.
The transfer will be seen as a huge coup for the club, with Manchester United strongly interested in the Hoffenheim player according to reports.
The 23-year-old is on on international duty with Brazil at the Copa América in Chile, and Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre is understood to have flown to South America to finalise a deal believed to be in the region of €40 million.
The club’s official website revealed that Firmino has penned a long-term contract with the club and will undergo a medical once Brazil’s participation in the Copa América is concluded.
Firmino found the net 47 times in 151 appearances for Hoffenheim since signing from Figueirense in 2010. He scored 10 times and registered 12 assists in all competitions last season as Hoffenheim finished in eighth place in the Bundesliga.
The Selecao star is most adept at playing just off a main striker but is also comfortable playing higher up the field.
Liverpool may have been forced to act quickly to sign Firmino with Manchester City’s pursuit of Raheem Sterling showing no signs of abating.
The young English forward is looking increasingly likely to leave Anfield after the Blues reportedly made a €63 million offer for the Jamaican-born winger.