Transfer Talk: Juventus close in on Firmino switch

Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is reportedly close to joining Juventus.

The 30-year-old has seen his first-team opportunities diminish in recent seasons due to the arrival of Diogo Jota, with £64million signing Darwin Nunez pushing him further down the pecking order.

Firmino is keen to ensure he is playing regularly in order to give him the best chance of featuring at the World Cup this winter.

Serie A outfit Juventus are willing to offer that and are closing in on a £19m deal for the Reds No9, according to reports in Italy.

With just a year remaining on the striker's contract, suitors will only have to pay a relatively low fee for a player who has scored 98 times in 327 Liverpool appearances.

The Anfield club are willing to cash in on Firmino while they still can, just as they did with Sadio Mane earlier in the window.

Juventus sealing a deal for the 55-cap international may affect Chelsea and Manchester United’s business this summer.

Max Allegri’s side were said to be keen on striking pair Timo Werner and Anthony Martial, both of whom have been linked with moves away from their respective clubs.

Werner is reportedly deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge after a disappointing two-year spell since joining from RB Leipzig.

Martial’s future looked similarly bleak after a miserable loan spell to Sevilla last term but is enjoying an encouraging pre-season under new Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag.

In other news

Ajax have raised their asking price for United target Antony from £68m to £84m, according to the Mail.

The same outlet say Nottingham Forest are interested in Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho.

Reports in Spain believe Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo has become an option for Manchester City as a cheaper alternative to Brighton ace Marc Cucurella in the left-back position.