Liverpool agree £29m deal with Hoffenheim to sign Brazil star Roberto Firmino

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Hoffenheim attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino, according to reports on Tuesday night.

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The Reds have been linked with the 23-year-old Brazil international for some time, but speculation has become intense over the last few days and now it’s reported a deal has been agreed with both Hoffenheim and the player. A work permit will be required to complete the move.

Various reports, such as the Liverpool Echo and all the mainstream Liverpool journalists, say talks between Liverpool and Hoffenheim have progressed well and now a deal is in place.

The Telegraph report: “Liverpool are close to signing Hoffenheim’s Brazil international Roberto Firmino for £28.4 million after the club’s chief executive Ian Ayre flew out to Chile to conclude the deal.”

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth explained, “He is at the Copa America in Chile at the moment, but he has given Liverpool a verbal undertaking that he will join in the next 24 hours.

“Sources in Germany have also told us that the deal is as good as done.”

Earlier on Tuesday evening, Andy Kelly of the Liverpool Echo reported that the Reds were close to agreeing a deal for Firmino which would make him the second most expensive player in the club’s history.

“The Reds are hopeful of securing a deal for somewhere between £25 million to £30 million,” Kelly claimed.

“That would place him at number two on Liverpool’s most expensive ever signings, below only the £35 million infamously shelled out on Andy Carroll in January 2011 and ahead of the £25 million spent prising Adam Lallana away from Southampton last summer.”

The Echo later concurred with Sky Sports’ earlier report and say a deal is in place subject to a work permit.

Firmino scored seven goals in 33 appearances for Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga last season and is currently representing Brazil at the Copa America in Chile.

Should Liverpool complete a move for Firmino, he would become Brendan Rodgers’ fourth signings of the summer after the arrivals of James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez.