According to The Daily Star, Manchester United have all but officially confirmed a summer deal for rumoured target Roberto Firmino.
The Hoffenheim youngster has been in exceptional form over the last two campaigns, racking up 22 goals and 18 assists in his last 59 Bundesliga appearances.
That’s seen the 23 year-old attacking midfielder ascend to the Brazil first team of late, scoring his second goal in four appearances for Selecao against Chile last Sunday, the eventual winning strike of the friendly, as reported by us at This Is Futbol.
Liverpool and Arsenal have been mooted as fellow suitors by The Express, but The Star’s report from yesterday claims the Red Devils have now agreed an £18.6million deal. They also claim United scout Peter Braund has been monitoring Firmino’s progress for much of the season.
If confirmed in the coming weeks, the news will be of particular disappointment to both Liverpool and Arsenal. Yesterday morning, This Is Futbol revealed they could lose Raheem Sterling and Theo Walcott to Chelsea respectively this summer; Firmino would have been an ideal replacement for either.