Arsenal have been told that they would not currently face any competition to sign former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.
Recent reports have claimed that Firmino has asked to leave Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli with talks to terminate his contract said to be taking place. It has been claimed that the Gunners and Brazilian outfit Flamengo are monitoring his situation.
The 33-year-old has endured a nightmare run in the Middle East and could therefore be keen on a move back to the Premier League. If the Brazil international is granted his wish he would become a free agent, and Arsenal would be able to sign him if they chose to do so.
Firmino won seven trophies at Liverpool, including a Premier League title and the Champions League. According to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola, the player's wife would like to return to England, and a move to Flamengo has been ruled out, opening the door for Arsenal to make a move.
“Halfway through the year, Firmino’s wife had already declared her intention to return to England and one of the alternatives would be Arsenal,” he said on his YouTube channel, via SportWitness.
“Well, I spoke to José Boto, Flamengo's executive director of football, before recording this video and asked if there was any chance of negotiation between Flamengo and Firmino, and the answer was…zero chance.
“Boto’s answer concerns the type of players that Flamengo is looking for at the moment. The Rubro Negro wants to have players who can be signed, who increase in value and who can then be sold. This is not exactly the case with Roberto Firmino. Let’s cross that name off the Rubro Negro map, okay?”
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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