Liverpool agree £29m Firmino deal

Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle to sign Brazil and Hoffenheim forward Roberto Firmino for £29m.

The 23-year-old, who is currently playing for his country in the Copa America in Chile, would need to be granted a work permit.

Reds chief executive Ian Ayre is in Chile for talks with a view to a five-year deal at the Premier League club.

Firmino is understood to have agreed terms and is set to become Liverpool’s second most expensive signing.

The Anfield club made Andy Carroll their record signing when he joined them for £35m from Newcastle in 2011, while Adam Lallana was brought in from Southampton for £25m in 2014.

Liverpool have recently signed Burnley striker Danny Ings, while goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, defender Joe Gomez and midfielder James Milner have also been brought in.

The Reds have so far resisted two offers from Man City for England forward Raheem Sterling.

Firmino, who has scored 49 times in 153 appearances for Hoffenheim, was on target for Brazil in their 2-1 Copa America victory over Venezuela on Sunday.

In the absence of Neymar, who has been suspended for the rest of the tournament, Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, who is already a Liverpool player, are set to start again in Saturday’s quarter final against Paraguay, reports the BBC.