by Chris Rowland.

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Hoffenheim’s Brazilian international forward Roberto Firmino. The 23-year-old’s five-year deal is subject to a medical, which will take place after he returns from Chile, where he has been playing for Brazil in the Copa America.

The fee of about £29m makes him the club’s second most expensive player after record signing Andy Carroll (£35m – compare how many £30m+ signings Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea have made, actual as well as TPI-adjusted, to see where Liverpool truly stand in the financial order of things).

Firmino scored 47 goals in 151 games for Hoffenheim during his four-and-a-half seasons in the Bundesliga, and has nine caps and four goals for Brazil – including what proved to be the winner in their 2-1 Copa America victory over Venezuela.

Liverpool have seen off serious competition from rivals in the Barclays Premier League, not least Manchester United who were favourites for his signature, and across Europe to land Firmino.

This article is for Subscribers only.

[ttt-subscribe-article]