Barcelona have apparently rejected the chance to sign Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino as a free agent this summer.
The Brazil international will bid his farewells to the Anfield faithful at the end of the campaign as he prepares to leave the Reds upon the expiration of his contract.
Injuries and the arrival of attacking reinforcements such as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have pushed Firmino down the Anfield pecking order, but he will still be a man in demand this summer.
With Barcelona expected to pursue cut-price deals again this summer amid their financial concerns, Firmino has been tipped to link up with the La Liga leaders for the 2023-24 season.
A report from the weekend went as far to say that the 31-year-old had already agreed to sign for Barcelona this summer, having been able to speak to foreign clubs since January.
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However, Marca claims that while Firmino did offer his services to Barcelona, Xavi's side rejected the proposal as they have no intention of adding to their attacking ranks this summer.
Having poached Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich in 2022, Barca are not expected to pursue another number nine, assuming that the 27-goal Poland international stays at the club.
Nevertheless, Chelsea's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also been linked with a swift return to Camp Nou, and the Gabon international's ability to play out wide could benefit his chances of a homecoming.
The La Liga leaders may be in the market for new wingers as doubts persist over the futures of Ansu Fati, Raphinha and Ferran Torres, while Ousmane Dembele's contract situation is yet to be sorted out either.
However, with Firmino operating from a central position, the former Hoffenheim man is not high on Barca's list of summer targets, although he supposedly still wants to continue in Europe when he leaves Liverpool.
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Barcelona's stance could open the door for a move to Serie A for Firmino, who is also believed to be on the radar of Inter Milan and Roma, as well as teams in Saudi Arabia.
While clubs are queuing up to present their offers, Firmino is wholly focused on the end to the season with Liverpool and is unlikely to give any thought to his next career move until the summer.
The South American has amassed a total of 109 goals and 79 assists in 360 games for Liverpool since joining from Hoffenheim in 2015, including 11 goals and five assists from 33 outings this term.
Firmino will be one of several soon-to-be free agents to depart Liverpool at the end of June, as Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adrian are all set to leave, while James Milner has not yet agreed a new contract beyond the summer despite rumours of a renewal.
Firmino is expected to be on the bench when seventh-placed Liverpool travel to face West Ham United in Wednesday's Premier League encounter.
Ben Knapton
