Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino could be heading to MLS

Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino has been linked to several MLS clubs, including St. Louis City SC, as he prepares for the next stage in his career.

Roberto Firmino came on as a second-half substitute for Liverpool in their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth and his time at the club looks set to be coming to an end.

He has decided to leave Anfield this summer and there are many clubs in Europe and MLS interested in his services.

MLS insider Tom Bogert has revealed that “St. Louis City SC [is] among clubs interested in signing Brazil int’l Roberto Firmino this summer as a free agent when he leaves Liverpool. He was at Hoffenheim…with STL sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel.”

“Still very early in the process for Roberto Firmino, who only recently decided he would leave Liverpool this summer when his contract expires,” Bogert added. “There have been whispers that LAFC are interested in Firmino as well. I imagine a lot of MLS teams would be.”

Is it time for Firmino to head to MLS?

St. Louis City would be an attractive option. They are a recent MLS expansion club and Firmino would be their first big-name player to join the club. Their current Designated Players are Eduard Löwen and fellow Brazilian Klauss which leaves a place for him to fill the 3rd DP place.

LAFC need a replacement for Gareth Bale who has now retired. They are the current MLS Cup holders and need to add more firepower to their side if they are to retain their title, especially with the rival LA Galaxy in the mix for at least one big name.

Inter Miami have also been linked with Firmino. The Herons are also pursuing Lionel Messi, so they could land a star-studded strike force if they were to acquire both players. David Beckham’s side has promised to deliver world-class players and Firmino would certainly be that.

Could Firmino stay in Europe?

This season, Firmino still has eight Premier League goals, so he may feel he can still compete in Europe for a few more years.

There have been links to Serie A with Inter Milan or Juventus and also La Liga with Barcelona or Atletico Madrid. All are historic clubs and would offer Firmino the chance to ply his trade in a new league.

West Ham United was also rumored to be a possible destination. However, this would be very unlikely as the Hammers are currently in danger of being relegated to the Championship.

The Brazilian is now 31, he has won everything there is to win with the Reds including the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Club World Cup.

In total for Liverpool, he has made 355 appearances scoring 108 goals. He started his career in Brazil with Figueirense, before moving to Hoffenheim in Germany and then to England with the Merseyside club.

Firmino is still a Brazilian international, although he has not played for them since the 2021 Copa America defeat to Argentina. Moving to MLS will affect his chances of being called up again but he may feel that his time is up with Brazil.

St. Louis City, LAFC and Inter Miami are all attractive options. All are ambitious clubs that would offer him a new challenge in the final years of his career.