Chelsea transfer plan left in doubt as Roberto Firmino displays Liverpool loyalty

Chelsea transfer plan left in doubt as Roberto Firmino displays Liverpool loyalty

Roberto Firmino is leaving Liverpool this summer at the end of his contract but his stance on his future is likely to hold up Chelsea’s attempts to sign Joao Felix

The refusal of Roberto Firmino to engage in negotiations with other clubs ahead of his departure from Liverpool this summer could make it more difficult for Chelsea to recruit Joao Felix on a long-term basis.

Firmino will leave Anfield at the conclusion of this season after deciding not to renew his deal with the Reds. The 31-year-old was in negotiations with the club for a new contract but decided against staying and will instead take on a new challenge.

Roberto Firmino (Getty images)

Over the course of his eight seasons at the club, the Brazilian forward cemented his status as a club legend at Anfield. His attitude and selflessness during that time were best exemplified by the fact that he forwent a sizable goal bonus in order to ensure his teammate scored a goal.

Roberto Firmino refusing to speak to rival clubs in clear show of Liverpool loyalty

There are likely to be no shortage of suitors for Firmino this summer with La Liga giants Atletico Madrid among them, as outlined by Diario AS. The Reds forward would theoretically replace the role of Felix in the squad – after the Portugal international joined Chelsea on a loan deal for the remainder of the campaign in January.

It is claimed that Marcus Thuram remains the prime attacking target for Atleti; the France international is, like Firmino, a free agent this summer as his deal at Borussia Monchengladbach expires. The club are said to be planning for the possibility that Felix joins Chelsea on a permanent basis.

Felix joined the Spanish giants from Benfica in the summer of 2019 for a club-record £108million after enjoying a breakthrough season in Lisbon, bagging 20 goals and established himself as one of the hottest properties in European football.

However, he has failed to replicate that form in the Spanish capital and he has never become a regular starter for Simeone’s side throughout his three-and-a-half years at the club. He has never scored more than 10 goals in any individual campaign.

This season has seen relations between the forward and boss Simeone deteriorate as Atletico continue to struggle for form. Felix has often cut a frustrated figure while watching on from the substitutes’ bench.

Having joined from Hoffenheim in 2015, Firmino has bagged 107 goals in 353 Liverpool appearances – forming a fearsome front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

The arrivals of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo in recent times have ushered in a period of transition.

Firmino’s agent, Roger Wittmann, has confirmed that despite indicating to the Reds his wish to leave this summer, he has not spoken to other clubs or planned his future for beyond the campaign.

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