With news of Liverpool agreeing a deal to sign Hoffenheim attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino [via Sky Sports], it raises the question of whether Raheem Sterling is on his way out of the club.
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The Reds so far have completed signings for four new players in James Milner, Adam Bodgan, Danny Ings and Joe Gomez, but the immediate outlay has not been great, with the first three having come to the end of their contracts at their previous clubs, while the last of the three arrived for £3.5 million, according to BBC Sport.
Does that signal that Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers have been waiting raise additional funds in order to further strengthen the squad?
Given Rodgers’s track record in the transfer market since his arrival in 2012, it’s unlikely that the club’s owners are going to hand him a open cheque book this summer.
The additions of Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Lazar Markovic last year came at a considerable cost, and the five have hardly set Anfield alight since their arrivals.
Lambert, who arrived from Southampton, managed only two goals, while Balotelli scored only once in 16 outings.
If a deal for Firmino has been agreed then does that mean Manchester City have been successful with their third offer for Sterling?
The Sky Blues have already seen two offers for the England international rejected by Liverpool [via BBC Sport] and they were strongly tipped over the weekend to make one last final attempt.
The Mirror understand that City are considering meeting Liverpool’s asking price of £50 million for the England international.
Following Firmino’s arrival, Liverpool can proceed with their negotiations for Sterling’s sale confident that they have an ideal replacement lined up.
In addition, the Merseyside outfit have held talks to sign South American pair Carlos Bacca and Salomon Rondon [via Sky Sports], which also indicates the Reds are likely to be anticipating a considerable income from transfers this summer.
Firmino’s agent Roger Wittmann claimed last week that his price-tag is between £18-20 million [via talkSPORT], while Sevilla have told Liverpool that Bacca will cost the full £ 21.5million release clause [via Mirror Sport].
The signs are that Firmino will soon be unveiled as a Liverpool player and ought to take his place next season as a key figure in Liverpool’s forward line.
Is his arrival the greatest indication yet that Rodgers is planning for a post-Sterling future?