Roberto Firmino Rumored to Leave Al-Ahli and Saudi Pro League for a Return to Europe
Roberto Firmino’s move to Al-Ahli and the Saudi Pro League has not gone as planned, leading to speculation that he may leave the club and return to Europe. The high-profile player was one of many who made the move to Saudi Arabia over the summer, but the reality of the situation has fallen short of expectations. Attendance figures at matches are consistently under 1,000, and there is little attention from outside of the Middle East. Additionally, the country’s human rights issues raise concerns about the well-being of players and their families.
Firmino had a promising start at Al-Ahli, scoring a hat-trick on his debut and even captaining the side in his first 10 league games. However, his form quickly declined, and he has not scored a goal in 17 games since his opening treble. He has also been benched since the end of October, losing his place in the starting lineup to Saudi striker Firas Al-Buraikan.
Reports from Football365 and the Mirror suggest that Firmino is seeking a move away from Al-Ahli and Saudi Arabia. The Brazilian forward is rumored to be interested in returning to Europe or even his native Brazil. While these reports are not confirmed, it would make sense for Firmino to pursue a transfer considering his current situation.
One potential destination for Firmino is Al Ettifaq, where he would reunite with former Liverpool teammates Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum under the management of Steven Gerrard. Gerrard has expressed his admiration for Firmino and his desire to work with him again.
Although a return to Liverpool may be speculated upon, it is unlikely to happen. Prior to his move to Saudi Arabia, Firmino received interest from top European clubs such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, and Galatasaray. Brazilian club Internacional and MLS franchise St. Louis City SC also expressed interest in signing him.
In the coming days, there may be headlines about Firmino potentially returning to Liverpool, but it would only be for a book signing event.