Medical prepared as Liverpool forward enters talks over joining Chelsea star in surprise next move
Negotiations regarding a Liverpool attacker’s next move are “ongoing”, and the Reds frontman may line up alongside a Chelsea star who has agreed a loss-making exit, per reports.
Liverpool’s fabled front three were broken up last summer when Sadio Mane was sold to Bayern Munich. Mane didn’t enjoy the best of times during his maiden season in Bavaria, though his absence was felt back at Anfield.
Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah remain on Merseyside, though the former will leave as a free agent when his contract expires on June 30 (this coming Friday).
Firmino is free to negotiate with any club right now and amid early interest from the likes of Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona, the expectation was he’d remain in Europe.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Firmino is in discussions over moving to the burgeoning Saudi Pro League.
Indeed, Romano reported the 31-year-old and his camp are “in talks” with Saudi Arabian side, Al Ahli.
Negotiations are described as “ongoing”, with the club awaiting a final decision from the Brazilian.
In the event Firmino gives the greenlight, a deal should quickly gather pace with Al Ahli already “preparing medicals”.
A subsequent update from Romano revealed Al Ahli have offered Firmino a three-year contract running until 2026.
Firmino to join Chelsea star at Al Ahli?
If Firmino does make the move to Saudi Arabia by joining Al Ahli, he’ll be joined by a familiar face from the Premier League in the form of Chelsea goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy.
The 31-year-old has agreed personal terms with Al Ahli and per the Evening Standard, a medical has been pencilled in for later this week.
Mendy was a £22m signing from Rennes back in 2020 and wasted no time displacing Kepa Arrizabalaga during his early Chelsea career.
However, managers who followed Thomas Tuchel reverted back to Kepa as first choice and after more than a full season of warming the bench, Mendy will now leave Stamford Bridge.
According to the Standard, the Blues will incur a £6m loss on Mendy with the club due to receive £16m.
While no side aims to make a loss in the market, £16m for a back-up 31-year-old goalkeeper still represents decent value for Chelsea who are shifting much of their deadwood to the middle east.
Aside from Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly (Al Hilal), N’Golo Kante (Al Ittihad) and Hakim Ziyech (Al Nassr) have all agreed moves with Saudi Pro League clubs.
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