Roberto Firmino Next Club Odds: Fulham Favourites To Sign Ex-Liverpool Man
The January transfer window is open and the best betting sites expect plenty of moves between now and the end of the month.
Jordan Henderson reportedly wants out of Saudi Arabia, but he is not the only former Liverpool star thought to be disillusioned with life in the Pro League.
Roberto Firmino is also being linked with a move away from Al-Ahli just a few months after he joined the club, which also employs Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez and Allan Saint-Maximin.
Where might Firmino end up if he does return to British football? Let’s take a look at some of the contenders for his signature.
Fulham And Wolves The Two Favourites Right Now
Fulham have been linked with a move to Firmino in recent days, so it is no surprise to see them listed as 2/1 favourites with football betting sites.
The Brazilian has reportedly been offered to the Cottagers as he eyes a return to the Premier League.
Marco Silva has not been shy to add experienced forwards to his squad, having signed Willian and Raul Jimenez over the last couple of seasons.
Firmino would provide a stylistic alternative to the latter up front.
Jimenez’s former club Wolves could also be in the market for a new attacker. Gary O’Neil uses a fluid frontline at Molineux, into which Firmino would fit well.
He does not possess the speed and ball-carrying ability of Hwang Hee-chan or Matheus Cunha, but the former Liverpool man’s intelligence and technical quality would be much appreciated in the Black Country. Wolves are rated at 3/1 to snap up Firmino.
Nottingham Forest And Celtic Could Make An Offer
Nottingham Forest have been very active in the transfer market since their promotion to the Premier League in 2022.
In truth they have signed too many players, resulting in a bloated squad and potential issues with Financial Fair Play.
Indeed, the threat of a points penalty is hanging over Forest, whose business in January will have to be carefully managed from a financial perspective.
But with Taiwo Awoniyi out injured, Firmino could become a target and Forest can be backed at 4/1 with betting apps.
Celtic look like an interesting option at 5/1. Firmino could still do a job in Scottish football, where the standard is generally lower than that of the Premier League.
He may also welcome the chance to work again with Brendan Rodgers, the man who brought him to Liverpool in the first place.
Tottenham No Doubt More Appealing Than Sheffield United
Tottenham Hotspur are listed at 8/1. We already know that Ange Postecoglou wants to add to his attacking options this month, with Timo Werner set to join the club in the coming days.
Firmino is a very different kind of player to Werner, but that might be a reason why he appeals to Spurs.
The ex-Liverpool man could play as a second striker if they want to change system, or as a false nine to bring out the best of players like Werner and Son Heung-min.
Sheffield United are outsiders in this race at 12/1. The Blades have had financial issues this season - that explains their relative lack of activity last summer - and they look to be on their way to the Championship.
A Premier League relegation battle is unlikely to appeal to Firmino.
Anyway, Sheffield United have already picked up Ben Brereton Diaz this month, so they will now look to improve other areas of the squad.
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Liverpool Return Improbable Just Months After Departure
After it became clear that Firmino would not be signing a new contract with Liverpool, the club’s fans spent the final few weeks of last season serenading the Brazilian - even when he was not on the pitch.
Of all the players who departed Anfield in 2023, Firmino was - and is -the most popular among the Liverpool fan base.
Many supporters may therefore welcome a return. But it does not make much footballing sense.
Liverpool already have an abundance of attacking players, even in Mohamed Salah’s temporary absence for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Moreover, Jurgen Klopp only started Firmino 13 times in the Premier League in 2022/23.
He is now a year older and has been playing in the less competitive Saudi Pro League in recent months.
Do not bank on Firmino going back to Liverpool - as odds of 10/1 with new betting sites suggest, this is a long shot at best.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
