ROBERTO FIRMINO has been offered an MLS transfer lifeline, according to reports.
The Liverpool forward, 31, confirmed he will leave Anfield at the end of the season when his contract expires.
But he is already being lined up as a possible transfer target by numerous clubs.
And reporter Tom Bogert states St Louis City are interested in snapping up the free agent.
The new Missouri side joined the MLS for the 2023 season, starting with a perfect three wins from three to top the Western Conference on nine points.
But they are said to be keen to add the experience and quality of Firmino to their attack.
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And the club could be boosted by the fact that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel was on the staff at Hoffenheim during Firmino’s time with the German club.
However, St Louis City are set to face plenty of competition for Firmino’s signature.
The report adds Los Angeles FC are keen on landing him in the summer while as many as SIX European sides have submitted offers to land the 55-cap Brazil international.
But Firmino is NOT expected to return to his homeland at this stage in his career.
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The Brazilian striker has won five trophies in his eight seasons at Liverpool, including both the Champions League and Premier League.
And his return of 108 goals and 79 assists in 355 appearances makes him a fan favourite – the most-recent goal being the seventh and final strike in the thrashing of Manchester United last weekend.
Boss Jurgen Klopp admitted his shock at the news of Firmino’s upcoming departure, especially as talks over a contract extension had started.
The German said: “Surprised? Yes, a little bit – it could go two ways and it went one. And I respect that a lot.
“But it’s completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club.
“There’s no time for a goodbye or whatever in this moment, there’s enough time for that later in the season.
“Whenever he will come back, everybody knows that the song [Reds fans’ Firmino chant] will still be for a long, long time in everybody’s ears.
“I think he’s one of these players that even when he would come with an opposition team, people would be really happy to see him.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
