Liverpool could be losing one of its major stars come summer as reports emerged that Bundesliga club Bayern Munich will make a £75 million bid on Brazil international Roberto Firmino. The planned move is in line with the German giants' goal of acquiring fresh talents by the end of the season, and the Brazilian striker is top on the team's list.
Another target is Leroy Mane of Manchester City, as it appears that having the two Premier League players on the Bayern roster is the key gameplan hatched by team manager Hans Flick in preparation for the campaign next season.
According to The Sun, the tandem of Firmino and Mane will be joining Bayern's chief attacker Robert Lewandowski. With the trio taking charge of the team's attacking arsenal, Bayern would boast of "a front line to strike fear across Europe," the report added.
Bayern is believed to making a move as the team understood that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is close to closing a deal with Timo Werner. If indeed Werner makes the leap from Red Bull Leipzig to Anfield, letting go of Firmino could prove an easy decision for Klopp.
And Bayern seems convinced that placing a high value on the Brazilian striker will be seen by Liverpool hierarchy as an offer that will be hard to refuse.
According to Metro, Klopp regards Firmino as among his top attacking weapons, so the likelihood of sending the striker out is seen as a remote possibility. But the German boss' resolve could change if the chase on Werner will lead to the expected result.
As the same report said, Klopp will not allow the Brazilian star to exit without a worthy replacement. With the 23-year-old Werner though inching closer to joining up with the Reds, Bayern's chance of snatching Firmino could increase.
Firmino is viewed as a crucial component in Liverpool's success in the last season's Champions League. He is expected to figure prominently as the Reds continue on their march to the Premier League title with Firmino considered a big help on his club's 22 points league over the nearest rivals.
The Brazilian's selfish attitude is prized as well and demonstrated by the support he readily provides to teammates Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
Gary Neville has recently commented that the Brazilian star is the kind of player that a team manager would die to acquire.
"Any manager in the world would love to have Firmino as their center forward. Firmino for me, just what a player. What a player," the former Manchester United star, was reported as saying.
