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Liverpool versatile forward open to sign new long-term deal despite exit talks

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The versatile Liverpool forward is open to a new long-term contract despite exit talks

Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has expressed his desire to stay at the club beyond the end of this season.

The 31-year-old’s future at Anfield has been in doubt in recent months as his current contract expires in June.

Firmino has spent the last seven-and-a-half years at Liverpool since he joined the Hoffenheim club and was a key cog in Jurgen Klopp’s machine during a successful spell at Merseyside.

The Brazil international scored 107 goals and provided 78 assists in 348 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, winning a total of seven trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League.

The versatile Liverpool forward is open to a new long-term contract despite exit talks

Liverpool have faced a difficult 2022-23 season and are currently ninth in the Premier League, 10 points behind the top four and 19 behind leaders Arsenal. It has been suggested that a rebuild is needed at Anfield to help the club get back on track and compete on all fronts, with Firmino being a first-team name the Reds could potentially switch to.

A return to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich has been mooted, while Saudi side Al-Nassr – who recently signed Cristiano Ronaldo – have also been credited with an interest in the Brazilian.

However, a recent report claims Liverpool are prioritizing negotiations with Firmino over a new deal and the striker has since revealed he ‘intends to stay at the club’.

“It’s amazing to play football at a high level here with great players, stars of the game,” Firmino told Liverpool’s Official Magazine. “I am happy here and I intend to stay here and help Liverpool FC. “It’s a dream for all players to win the Premier League and the Champions League. It’s history, a huge legacy. When it happened, we felt extremely privileged, grateful to God for giving us this.”

The versatile Liverpool forward is open to a new long-term contract despite exit talks

Klopp, meanwhile, has reiterated his desire to keep Firmino and has insisted that the arrival of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven in January will not affect the Brazilian’s future.

“No. No. Not mine, absolutely not. There’s no impact, if you mean by impact that Bobby could be [moved],” Klopp told reporters earlier this month. “You’ll have to ask Bobby, but I don’t think so. We have talks with Bobby and I can tell from my perspective that I absolutely want him to stay.”

Firmino has yet to play for Liverpool since the World Cup break with a calf injury and is not ready to return for Saturday’s Premier League match at home to Chelsea.

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Liverpool midfield transfer: Most likely Klopp signing named as selling club targets replacement

Liverpool midfielder transfer: Klopp's likeliest signing to be named as replacement for selling club's goals

A reporter has revealed which Premier League star Liverpool are most likely to pursue this month to bolster their central midfield options.

Liverpool have been linked with several midfielders in recent months. Jude Bellingham would be their main target. But Borussia Dortmund could demand more than £100million from him and that could put Liverpool out of the running.

Jurgen Klopp is also a fan of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. He was impressive last year, becoming an important part of Brighton’s squad and representing Ecuador at the World Cup in Qatar.

Unfortunately for Klopp and Liverpool, Caicedo may well go elsewhere. Chelsea have already made a £55million bid for the Seagulls ace. And after that was rejected they are set to return with an improved offer of £65million.

Liverpool midfielder transfer: Klopp's likeliest signing to be named as replacement for selling club's goals

Should Caicedo move to Stamford Bridge, Liverpool may be forced to seek an alternative to the Prem. Luckily for Klopp, he also admires Wolves’ Matheus Nunes. The Brazilian-born Portuguese international joined Wolves from Sporting Lisbon in the summer for an initial fee of £38m, according to The Guardian. This came after interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and West Ham.

Liverpool midfield move: Klopp most likely signed as a replacement for sale club goals

A reporter has revealed which Premier League star Liverpool are most likely to pursue this month to bolster their central midfield options.

Liverpool have been linked with several midfielders in recent months. Jude Bellingham is believed to be their main target. But Borussia Dortmund could demand more than £100m from him and that could put Liverpool out of the running.

Jurgen Klopp is also a fan of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. He was impressive last year, becoming an important part of Brighton’s squad and representing Ecuador at the World Cup in Qatar.

Liverpool midfielder transfer: Klopp's likeliest signing to be named as replacement for selling club's goals

Unfortunately for Klopp and Liverpool, Caicedo may well go elsewhere. Chelsea have already made a £55million bid for the Seagulls ace. And after this is rejected, they should come back with an improved offer of £65m.

If Caicedo were to move to Stamford Bridge, Liverpool could be forced to look for an alternative to the Prem. Luckily for Klopp, he also admires Wolves’ Matheus Nunes.

The Brazilian-born Portuguese international joined Wolves in the summer in an initial £38m transfer from Sporting Lisbon, according to The Guardian. This came after interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and West Ham. Nunes has made 21 appearances for Wolves in all competitions this season. After a rocky start for everyone at the club, which saw Bruno Lage sacked on October 3, Julen Lopetegui began to put the West Midlands side out of harm’s way.

Liverpool midfielder transfer: Klopp's likeliest signing to be named as replacement for selling club's goals

Nunes will be one of the players who will benefit the most from the team playing better in most games. Klopp has been keeping tabs on the 24-year-old since his arrival in England and will continue to do so.

Liverpool backed to pursue Wolves man

Journalist Ryan Taylor, writing for the Daily Express, believes Nunes is the most likely midfielder to join Liverpool in January. And the Reds’ hopes are bolstered by the fact that Wolves are looking to bring in Joao Gomes, possibly as a replacement for Nunes.

“I think Matheus Nunes is most likely if they were to move up to a midfielder [this month],” Taylor said in an interview with CaughtOffside.

“That doesn’t mean they would be able to get a deal done. With Wolves likely to sign Joao Gomes following the arrival of Mario Lemina, the midfield squad is now very swollen.

Wolves recently sent Brazilian club Flamengo a £15million bid for Gomes. However, that was overshadowed by a £17.5m offer from Lyon. Wolves remain hopeful that Gomes will land before her other would-be suitors and likely return with a better offer. And if the U20 national team moves from Brazil to Molineux, Wolves are more likely to sell Nunes to Liverpool.

Liverpool midfielder transfer: Klopp's likeliest signing to be named as replacement for selling club's goals

It’s unclear how much Klopp’s team would have to pay to sign Nunes. Wolves would like to make a profit on the £38m they paid for him at the start of the season. This means Liverpool may have to submit a bid of £50m or more. That’s clearly a lot of money. However, with Bellingham potentially worth £100m or more, Liverpoolers will have to decide how far they are willing to go to overhaul the midfield.

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