Roberto Firmino ’s hopes of signing for Barcelona have been ruined with the Spanish giants prioritising four other signings including the return of Lionel Messi.
The Brazilian forward is set to bring his eight-year spell with Liverpool to an end this summer at the end of his contract. His impending exit has already been confirmed by Jurgen Klopp but Firmino’s next destination has yet to be announced.
Previous reports suggested that MLS side St Louis City had approached the striker, whilst Inter Miami were also thought to be interested in his services. Sticking in Europe is also an option for Firmino too.
It was suggested that a move to Barcelona had already been agreed, with a switch to the Camp Nou anticipated. However, it might not be as straight-forward as first thought.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, the Catalan giants have actually turned down the chance to sign Firmino. It is detailed that the Brazilian actually offered his services to Barcelona a few months ago but they have rejected the opportunity to sign him.
They instead have a number of alternative plans in place ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer transfer window. Former club icon Lionel Messi continues to be touted for a return to the club and that has moved one step closer to being completed with PSG now anticipating the Argentine to leave the club at the end of his contract.
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Another return may also be on the cards this summer too, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a target. The former Arsenal star only left Barcelona last summer but has endured a nightmare stint with Chelsea.
Aubameyang would be open to a move back to Spain with the Blues also keen to move him on. The pair are not the only attacking recruits being planned by the Barcelona club hierarchy.
Atletico Madrid wideman Yannick Carrasco is also a target, with a swap deal with their LaLiga rivals thought to be a possibility. Former Manchester City forward Ferran Torres would move to Madrid in exchange for the Belgian.
The final attacking addition would see youngster Abde Ezzalzouli return from a loan spell with Osasuna. He has scored five goals throughout the campaign, performances good enough to see him handed an opportunity at the Camp Nou next term.
All of those decisions would leave Firmino in a sticky situation as he attempts to secure his next move. The 31-year-old is set to bid farewell to Anfield after making 360 appearances for Liverpool at the time of writing and scoring 109 goals.
In that time, he has helped the club to their debut Premier League crown, the Champions League and a whole host of other trophies.
