Transfer Gossip – Liverpool Wrap up Shock Firmino Deal

By Kevin Kelly | Jun 24, 2015

The Daily Transfer column on Playing for 90, brought to you by co-editor Kevin Kelly. Today we hear how Liverpool wrapped up a deal for Roberto Firmino and Manchester United’s audacious attempts to prise Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid.

Liverpool Sign Firmino

Liverpool FC have confirmed the signing of Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino on a long term deal. The 23-year-old has agreed terms with the Reds and will complete the move subject to a medical due to take place following his Copa America commitments in Chile.

The fee is believed to be in the region of £30m – the second biggest signing in Liverpool’s history. Firmino, who scored the winner for Brazil against Venezuela on Sunday, has been in the Bundesliga since 2011, scoring 35 goals in 140 appearances for Hoffenheim, playing a traditional number 10 style role.

United want Ramos swap deal

The Daily Star report that Manchester United want a straight swap for Sergio Ramos with David De Gea going the other way. United bosses have reportedly told Madrid De Gea will not be sold unless World Cup winner Ramos is included in the deal.

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Real president Florentino Perez values Ramos at £40m and wants De Gea plus £20m in cash from United. But Old Trafford chief executive Ed Woodward knows how desperate Perez is to land De Gea this summer and will not be bullied by the Spanish giants.

De Gea will become a free agent within 12 months, but United believe Real would be getting a No.1 keeper for the next decade whose value will only increase. In turn, United will be signing a defender who is 29 and will have no sell-on value once his Old Trafford contract comes to an end.

Newcastle lead chase for Austin

The Express report that Newcastle lead the chase for Charlie Austin, who is also a target for Southampton and West Ham. Austin, the most sought-after striker in the Premier League, is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war with four clubs right now.

Southampton had offered around £13.75m for the England new boy but Newcastle manager Steve McClaren, who worked with Austin at Loftus Road, has gazumped them. Newcastle are now the front runners with Southampton still very keen and both Chelsea and West Ham watching developments.

Austin, 25, is valued at £15m by relegated Rangers, who are resigned to their star striker leaving the Championship club, even though he has a year left on his contract. McClaren is also interested in West Ham’s former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll if he cannot land Austin.

Meanwhile the Daily Mirror report that the Magpies have entered the race to sign Yehven Konoplyanka from FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. The 25-year-old former Dnipro star, now a free agent, is desperate for a move to the Premier League and has been in talks with Stoke over a move to the Britannia Stadium.

He has been unable to agree a deal, however, as he has been demanding more than £100,000-a-week. It has opened the door for clubs, including Newcastle, to express an interest. But, like Stoke, the Magpies are hoping Konoplyanka’s wage demands come down.

Sunderland bid for Wijnaldum

Guardian Football report that Sunderland have offered £11m for PSV midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. The Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat is understood to have made contact with the Dutch club to register his interest in the 24-year-old Holland international, who scored 14 Eredivisie goals last season as PSV cruised to the title.

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Wijnaldum was voted player of the year in the Eredivisie, ahead of Memphis Depay who recently signed for Manchester United

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