Liverpool star ‘pushing agent’ to secure Barcelona move but Xavi is dreaming of reunion with Chelsea man instead
Roberto Firmino is keen on a move to Barcelona ahead of next season, but Xavi currently has his eyes fixed on a Chelsea forward instead.
The Brazilian forward will leave Liverpool at the end of the season as a free agent. After eight great years on Merseyside, he has opted for a fresh challenge elsewhere.
Plenty of clubs have registered an interest in the 31-year-old. Italian trio AC Milan, Inter and Juventus have each been linked.
However, Firmino himself would reportedly prefer a move to Barcelona. Xavi’s side have just been crowned champions of La Liga and now look like a side on the up.
According to Sport, the forward is ‘pushing his agent’ to secure a move to the Nou Camp this summer. If a move does materialise, Firmino would link up with fellow Brazil teammate Raphinha at the club.
Given the 31-year-old skillset, he could be a natural fit at a club like Barcelona. He links the play well and could complement a player like Robert Lewandowski.
Klopp recently paid a touching tribute to the Brazilian forward. “You are so football smart, in training sessions you are the first to get the exercise,” Klopp explained.
“It’s like you saw it once: “Ah, okay, go for it”. It’s really special and it makes you the player you are, with all the technical stuff, but your football brain is incredible. That’s all good and makes you the player you are.”
Barcelona have other target in mind
While Barcelona are considering Firmino as an option, Xavi is still pushing for a reunion with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabon international has had a tough time this season at Chelsea and is set for a summer exit.
Aubameyang has watched most of the season from the sidelines and has scored just three goals in all competitions.
The 33-year-old was a popular player while in Barcelona and so it makes sense that Xavi is keen on his return.
He would be a fairly low-cost option for the club and it would allow Xavi to rotate Lewandowski from time to time.
In 18 La Liga appearances last season, Aubameyang scored 11 goals and provided an assist. Impressively so, he averaged a goal contribution every 99.3 minutes while in Spain.
He left the club in the summer in hopes of a reunion with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, but the German manager was soon sent packing following Aubameyang’s arrival.
The other names on the list include goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, midfielders Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic, wingers Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
In terms of Aubameyang, he is contracted with Chelsea until 2024. However, Chelsea would likely be willing to accept a minimal fee to shift him off the wage bill.
