Liverpool Transfer News: Roberto Firmino Bid Set Amid Manchester United Rumours

Liverpool are set to make an £18.6 million bid for Hoffenheim playmaker Roberto Firmino, according to Italian publication Calciomercato (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro).

Sanderson suggested the Premier League club have continued to scout Firmino during his excellent season in the Bundesliga. Although it is suggested Arsenal and Manchester United want to invest in the player, Sanderson noted Brendan Rodgers' hunt for additional creative talent will see the Reds make a formal bid for the 23-year-old's services.

Firmino fits in with Liverpool's current ideology: He is technical, creative and versatile. Rodgers' 3-4-2-1 formation is one of the Premier League's more intricate setups, utilising intelligent players who are often pushed to deliver in multiple roles.

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

This was highlighted during the side's 1-0 win over Swansea on Monday. Raheem Sterling provided attacking width and also offered Emre Can support in a right full-back position, while Jordan Henderson patrolled midfield before parading forward to grab a fortunate winner. You make your own luck, with Rodgers' tactics setting Liverpool up to remain threatening without leaving themselves exposed.

Firmino has the capacity to fill an Adam Lallana/Philippe Coutinho-style role for the club. He is an attacking midfielder by trade but regularly pops up on the left wing for Hoffenheim.

The Brazilian naturally roams in front of the opposition's defence and would easily fit into Liverpool's current formation, perhaps even allowing Daniel Sturridge to move into the central striker's role in a transitional attacking trident.

Firmino is a goalscorer—having notched 10 in the German division this season, per WhoScored.com—as shown below:

Many European sides are expected to compete for Firmino's signature, as tweeted by football writer Alex Chaffer and Sport Witness:

B/R UK's Clark Whitney suggested Hoffenheim have already batted away one bid:

Liverpool are just two points outside the Champions League places with nine games remaining. Sunday's fixture against United is massive on this front, providing the Merseyside club with the opportunity to leapfrog Louis van Gaal's men into fourth.

Firmino may be more interested to hear Liverpool's reported offer if they secure a second successive elite European place, particularly if top clubs are monitoring him. He'd be a real Rodgers-style signing and could complement the side's quest to improve next season.