Liverpool could face interest in Roberto Firmino from Juventus when the January transfer window opens, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The 30-year-old has entered the final year of his current contract at Anfield, and with no signs of a new deal on the horizon, he could be set to seek pastures new imminently.
What is the latest news involving Firmino?
Firmino has been a fantastic servant to Liverpool since arriving in a £29 million deal from Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim back in 2015.
In total, the Brazil international has registered 101 goals and 77 assists in 333 appearances for the Reds, claiming one Champions League crown, one Premier League title, one FA Cup, one League Cup, one FIFA World Club Cup and one UEFA Super Cup along the way.
However, he has slipped down Jurgen Klopp’s pecking order in recent years following the arrivals of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.
And the acquisition of club-record signing Darwin Nunez from Benfica this summer has called Firmino’s long-term future on Merseyside into question for the first time.
Sadio Mane has already left for Bayern Munich, breaking up the formidable forward line that also included Mohamed Salah and Firmino, and the South American could be the next casualty.
What has Jones said about Firmino?
Jones has informed GiveMeSport that Juve are ‘keeping an eye’ on Firmino’s situation at Anfield but doesn’t believe Liverpool would be willing to sanction his sale halfway through the season.
In an interview with GMS, he said: “Juventus are keeping an eye on Roberto Firmino's situation in the coming months.
“They are in a bad place at the moment, so if he is not getting many minutes, I can see them trying to sign him in January. I'm sure Liverpool wouldn't accept that halfway through the season, but we shall see.”
How big a loss would Firmino be?
Despite Liverpool’s struggles, Firmino has started the campaign in impressive fashion, registering three goals and three assists in his opening six games for the club.
As per FBref, the creative talent has also ranked in the 99th percentile for tackles and blocks, 96th for progressive passes and progressive passes received, 95th for pressures and 92nd for touches in the attacking penalty area amongst his positional peers over the last year.
These figures have seen Firmino labelled a "perfect team player" and considering him and Nunez the only strikers in Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad, Liverpool are likely to keep hold of the attacker until at least next summer, but he could move on after that.