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Premier League clubs on alert for Roberto Firmino?

sportsmole.co.uk, 29 December 2023, 18:19
Premier League clubs are reportedly keeping a close eye on Roberto Firmino's situation in Saudi Arabia.

The 32-year-old linked up with Al-Ahli over the summer following his release from Liverpool, and he has made 18 appearances for the Saudi Pro League outfit this term, but he has only managed three goals and three assists during an underwhelming start to his career with the club.

Firmino has a contract with Al-Ahli until June 2026, but according to talkSPORT, there is a chance that he could be on the move in the early stages of 2024, likely on loan.

The report claims that Sheffield United had been monitoring the Brazilian, while teams from Turkey and other clubs in Saudi Arabia are keeping a close eye on his situation.

Al Ettifaq, who are managed by Steven Gerrard, have also been credited with an interest, and the ex-Liverpool captain recently lavished praise on the experienced forward.

"I obviously know Bobby extremely well, I've been a massive fan. I've followed him for years," Gerrard said in an interview with journalist Ben Jacobs.

"At the moment he's Al-Ahli's player so it's very difficult for me to comment on that situation. But I've loved Bobby Firmino since the first day I watched him and I'm a huge fan. He belongs to another club, so I won't sit here and name names."

Firmino scored a hat-trick on his debut for Al-Ahli against Al-Hazem on August 11, but he has been unable to find the back of the net since.

The experienced forward has also struggled for starts of late, with his last appearance in the starting XI in a Saudi Pro League match coming at the end of October.

Firmino was a huge favourite during his time at Liverpool, representing the club on 362 occasions, scoring 111 goals and registering 79 assists in the process.

The South American won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Community Shield, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup during his time at Anfield.

Firmino managed 13 goals during the 2022-23 campaign, but he decided to move on over the summer in order to seek pastures new.

Al-Ahli, who also have the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Gabri Veiga, Merih Demiral, Franck Kessie and Allan Saint-Maximin in their squad, are currently third in the Saudi Pro League table, boasting 37 points from their opening 18 matches of the campaign.

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