Real Madrid Want Liverpool’s $82M Forward Who Could Be Replaced By Haaland: Report

Real Madrid have reportedly contacted Liverpool FC’s Roberto Firmino in recent months and the Brazilian forward is believed to have begun to have thoughts about an exit from Anfield.

Los Blancos did not make any signings at the recently ended summer transfer window, but Spanish publication Todofichajes has reported that the 2021 summer window will be a busy one for Real Madrid as president Florentino Perez has identified Firmino as one of the club’s targets.

It was earlier reported Jurgen Klopp is planning to bring Erling Haaland from Dortmund to Liverpool as a long-term replacement for Brazilian playmaker Firmino.

While the transfer talks with Firmino and Real Madrid has not taken any serious turn yet, with Mauricio Pochettino being linked with the La Liga giants as Zinedine Zidane’s successor, Firmino’s chances of moving to Santiago Bernabeu have increased, as per the same Todofichajes report.

Even though under-fire Zidane eased the pressure with a 3-1 victory over arch-rivals FC Barcelona in an away El Clasico Sunday, it is understood that the Real Madrid bosses are seeing the former Spurs head coach as Zidane’s replacement in the near future.

Currently contracted with Liverpool until 2023, Firmino’s market value is a reported $82 million, which could help Klopp buy Haaland from his former club Dortmund.

The Norwegian talented striker, who has already netted 23 goals in 26 matches for Dortmund since his Bundesliga debut in January, has a special clause in his current deal with the German club. Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola inserted a release clause in the player’s contract when he joined Dortmund from RB Salzburg. Any club can buy Haaland in 2022 by triggering his release clause of $82 million, which is the same as Firmino’s.

Firmino, who moved from 1899 Hoffenheim to Liverpool five years ago, has tasted massive success under the reign of Klopp. The Brazilian forward has played a key role in Liverpool’s trophy-winning tournaments across the last two years, especially in the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar last December, which The Reds played as the European champions. He single-handedly led Liverpool to their maiden Club World Cup after scoring in the semi-final and final.