Report: Liverpool close to deal for Roberto Firmino

Liverpool are setting their sights on Roberto Firmino as they work on a long summer shopping list.

Reports indicate the Merseyside team is close to signing the Brazilian forward from 1899 Hoffenheim, and have pulled ahead of Manchester United and Manchester City as front-runners for his signature.

All that's stopping the deal from being complete is an agreement between Liverpool and the German club on a transfer fee for Firmino, according to Brazilian publication Globoesporte, courtesy of The Telegraph.

Firmino, 23, is reportedly valued at £18 million, after scoring seven goals and recording 10 assists during 33 appearances for Hoffenheim last season.

His signing would be yet another major transfer for the club following the arrivals of James Milner, Danny Ings, Joe Gomez, and Adam Bogdan.