Arsenal have made an audacious move for 1899 Hoffenheim attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino and tabled a bid of £8m, according to reports.
Arsene Wenger’s Gunners are the third Premier League side to have been linked with the 22-year-old this year, with Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea and Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool having also expressed their interest but not proceeding to make offers.
As a skilful and creative No.10 playmaker, Firmino is valued at around £22m and it is highly anticipated that the north Londoners’ speculative offer of £8m will be rejected, not only because it falls far short of his market value, but also because the youngster is understood to be happy at 1899 Hoffenheim. In March he signed a new three-year contract to keep him with the side until June 2017.
Firmino moved to Germany from Brazil as a teenager in 2011, has made 107 appearances for the club over three seasons and netted 31 goals in total.
The highly-rated Brazilian enjoyed a successful 2013/2014 domestic campaign with the Bundesliga side, finding the back of the net 16 times and rounding up as joint-fourth highest scorer along with Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund and Adrian Ramos of Hertha Berlin. He won the honour of ‘Bundesliga breakthrough 2013/2014’ at the end of last season.
It is understood that Wenger may face stiff competition to acquire the youngster as Serie A Side Inter Milan are also reportedly keen to sign but on a season-long loan basis, which may be a deal better suited to Firmino as it means he can return to Germany next summer.