Report: Atletico Madrid looking to make bargain signing from Liverpool, but Klopp is trying to block it

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Atletico Madrid are keeping an eye on the situation of Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.

Firmino is out of contract next summer and will be free to speak to clubs about a transfer from tomorrow, January 1st. According to Mundo Deportivo, Atletico are one of those sides in-line to make an approach.

They claim that the Spanish side are hoping for the ‘bargain’ signing of Firmino in the summer window.

They have reportedly been given some encouragement by the fact that contract talks have ‘cooled’ between Liverpool and their No.9.

This is said to be as a result of Cody Gakpo’s arrival at Anfield. Mundo Deportivo even go as far as calling Firmino ‘collateral damage’ of the Dutchman’s signing.

However, it may not all be quite so clear-cut just yet. That’s because Jurgen Klopp is claimed to be hoping that Bobby will still put pen to paper on a new deal at Liverpool.

All up to Bobby now

Firmino’s contract situation is starting to come to a head at Liverpool. It seems impossible that the 31-year-old will be sold in January. So that leaves two options: sign a new deal, or leave on a free at the season’s end.

Right now, it’s difficult to call which way that will go. But what is clear is that whatever decision is reached will be Firmino’s, not Liverpool’s.

Klopp confirmed as much earlier this week. Asked during his pre-Leicester City press conference for an update on talks with Bobby, the manager made it clear that he wants the Brazilian to stay.

“We have talked with Bobby and I can say from my point of view, I want him definitely to stay,” Jurgen said on Thursday. “So there will be no impact [from Gakpo’s signing]. If you mean by ‘impact’ whether Bobby will [go], you’d have to ask Bobby. But from my point of view, no.”

That’s about as definitive as it gets. With Klopp said to be taking on more responsibilities surrounding player contracts, you’d have to assume that the ball is firmly in Firmino’s court.

It would be a real shame if his eight-year stay at Anfield were to come to an end in June. For a man who always plays with a smile on his face, it would also be a wrench to see him end up at Diego Simeone’s Atletico. Sign the thing, Bobby!

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