The Brazilian international will bid farewell to the Liverpool faithful in his final game against Southampton on Sunday, marking the end of his contract with the club in June.
Despite facing injury disruptions in his last two seasons at Anfield, the 31-year-old has managed to contribute 10 goals in the Premier League this campaign, making him a sought-after player in the transfer market. AC Milan and Inter Milan have emerged as contenders from Italy, while Barcelona had also shown interest in signing the forward.
Earlier reports indicated that Firmino had agreed to join Barcelona for the 2023-24 season, but it seems that the Brazilian has yet to make a final decision about his future. While Barcelona is no longer seen as a potential destination, journalist Fabrizio Romano suggests that Real Madrid, their Clasico rivals, are now considering a move for Firmino.
Romano mentions that there have been no discussions initiated with Firmino's representatives so far, but the Real Madrid board holds admiration for the player and his name is being discussed within the club.
Although Karim Benzema is expected to extend his contract for another season, Real Madrid is in the market for a new striker due to anticipated departures. Mariano Diaz will leave when his contract expires next month, while Marco Asensio is not expected to sign a new deal and is also set to depart on a free transfer.
Eden Hazard has only one year remaining on his contract, and while he has expressed his desire to continue at Real Madrid, there are rumors of interest from Major League Soccer (MLS) as the club looks to offload him. Real Madrid has reportedly shortlisted between four and five attacking options for the summer transfer window, with high-profile targets like Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe being mentioned. Compared to those players, Firmino represents a cost-effective acquisition as he concludes his successful eight-year spell at Anfield, where he joined from Hoffenheim for £35.6 million in 2015.
During his time with Jurgen Klopp's side, the South American forward has netted 110 goals and provided 79 assists in 361 matches. In the current season, he has scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.
Firmino has won multiple trophies with Liverpool, including the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Community Shield. This summer, Liverpool will also see Naby Keita, James Milner, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leave on free transfers.
Firmino may have his final start for Liverpool, his 13th in the current Premier League season, when the Reds face already-relegated Southampton at St Mary's on Sunday afternoon.
