Roberto Firmino could head to MLS at the end of the Premier League season, with St Louis City SC interested in signing the Brazilian star.
The 31-year-old informed Liverpool that he would be leaving the club at the end of his current contract, despite boss Jurgen Klopp wanting to re-sign the Brazilian. Firmino signed for Liverpool back in 2015, and flourished under Klopp as he formed one of the most deadly attacking trios in world football.
But it's time for Firmino to move on, and there's likely to be a whole host of interest in the Liverpool star. One of those interested is the newly formed St Louis City according to MLS insider Tom Bogert, and there's already a familiar face working at the club.
The sporting director at St Louis City is Lutz Pfannenstiel, a former director at Bundesliga side Hoffenheim. Firmino joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim, and Pfannestiel was working there at the time.
Pfannestiel could once again link-up with Firmino over in the United States, but there's also connections elsewhere in MLS. Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner also worked at Hoffenheim, and current Nashville SC CEO is Ian Ayre, who assumed the same position at Liverpool before leaving in 2017.
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There are lots of links to MLS for Firmino, and it's one of the perfect places for him to go and become a star name - and face of a franchise. However, he may have to weigh up offers with those in Europe, as he's still very much in demand.
Firmino has won all there is to win at Liverpool, and will depart in June as a club legend. Klopp was surprised at Firmino's decision to move on, but respected the choice and thanked the Brazilian for his service.
Jurgen Klopp is surprised by Roberto Firmino's decision to leave (AFP via Getty Images)"Yes, he told me," Klopp said during Friday's Liverpool press conference. "Surprised? Yes, a little bit but I was not hit by surprise, actually it’s a normal thing to do.
"It could go two ways and it was one. And I respect that a lot. It’s completely normal in this kind of long relationship that we have and Bobby has with the club and with most of the players and stuff like this, and with the fans of course."
Klopp will be sad to see Firmino depart, but is sure that he will always be welcomed back to Anfield with open arms. "There’s no time for a goodbye or whatever in this moment, there’s enough time for that later in the season," Klopp added.
"Whenever he will come back, everybody knows that the song will still be for a long, long time in everybody’s ears I’m pretty sure. No problem. 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."
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