Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona interested in exit-bound Liverpool superstar – report
Real Madrid and Barcelona could be set to go toe-to-toe in the race to sign Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino this summer, according to reports in England as relayed by SPORT.
Firmino is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, having already confirmed that he will not sign a new contract with Liverpool.
The Brazilian international has been a top performer over the years for Jurgen Klopp’s side but has seen his game-time take a hit this season. Despite that, Firmino has produced a respectable tally of 11 goals and five assists from 33 matches in all competitions in 2022/23.
With the 31-year-old set to become a free agent at the end of the season, Real Madrid are said to have taken an interest in his situation.
The Merengues are expected to sign a new striker in the summer to provide cover and competition for Karim Benzema, who has battled injury problems this season.
Endrick is Real Madrid’s long-term bet, but the Brazilian wonderkid will only be arriving in 2024. And while Alvaro Rodriguez has showcased good potential, an experienced forward could be a good addition to the ranks in the summer.
It has seemingly led Los Blancos to Firmino, who would be available for free in the summer. However, Real Madrid will have to battle with arch-rivals Barcelona for the Liverpool superstar.
The Blaugrana are also in the market for attacking reinforcements and have their sights on Vitor Roque. But a move for the Athletico Paranaense prodigy seems financially difficult to pull off, leading to them looking out for other options.
Chelsea’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a target, but Firmino, too, has emerged as a possible option for Barcelona, with the report stating that they have already contacted the Brazilian’s agents to keep themselves informed about his situation.
Apart from Barcelona, Real Madrid will have to stave off competition from Inter Milan as well as clubs from Saudi Arabia, if they are indeed serious about signing Firmino.
According to AS, Real Madrid have sent a three-year contract offer with improved wages to Dani Ceballos and trust that the midfielder will continue at the club.
Ceballos is the last among the seven Los Blancos’ stars who entered the 2022/23 season with an expiring contract whose future is yet to be resolved.
Mariano Diaz, Marco Asensio, and Karim Benzema have all left Real Madrid while Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Nacho Fernandez are all set to continue at the Santiago Bernabeu for one more year.
As such, Ceballos remains the only player whose future remains unclear at this point.
The 26-year-old Spanish international has shown that he can offer value to the team and the club and manager Carlo Ancelotti are understood to ‘love’ him and want to retain his services.
Fans, too, made their feelings about the midfielder very clear this past weekend when Real Madrid played Athletic Club, as they chanted ‘Ceballos, stay!’
The Merengues have sent in a three-year proposal to the former Real Betis ace which includes an improvement in his wages. As such, the club expect him to pen the deal and continue at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Ceballos is yet to make a decision as he is weighing up the fact that he will have to compete for a place with six other midfielders.
Indeed, Real Madrid already have Kroos, Modric, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelien Tchouameni as competition for Ceballos. Now, they will also add Jude Bellingham to the roster, further amping up the battle for places.
Ceballos has two more offers apart from the one from Real Madrid – one from Spain and Italy each, although his former club Real Betis have not sent a proposal yet.
With the season over and less than three weeks left on his contract, it remains to be seen what the Real Madrid ace decides.
