Roberto Firmino is considering a return to the Premier League and may leave Saudi Arabia in January.
After signing a three-year deal with Al Ahli following the expiration of his Liverpool contract last summer, Firmino made an impressive start with a hat-trick on the season’s opening weekend against Al Hazem. However, he has since struggled, failing to score in the subsequent 18 appearances and losing his spot in the starting lineup to Saudi international Firas Al Buraikan, who has notched 11 league goals this year. Part of the challenge is Firmino not fitting well into Matthias Jaissle’s system.
With no starts in the last eight games, Firmino is exploring options, and there is potential interest from Premier League clubs. Fulham and Nottingham Forest are monitoring his situation, and Sheffield United, under former boss Paul Heckingbottom, inquired about him. The Blades have since appointed Chris Wilder as manager and secured Ben Brereton Diaz on loan from Villarreal, making their intentions unclear.
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Interest in Firmino also comes from Brazil and Turkey. Initially, there was interest from Saudi clubs Al Shabab and Al Ettifaq, but financial constraints make it more likely for Firmino to move abroad. Although Al Ettifaq’s manager, Gerrard, has expressed the need for reinforcements, expensive overseas signings are currently not feasible for them. Firmino remains open to all options, but any move would likely be temporary as he is still considered part of Al Ahli’s long-term plans. While no formal offer has been received by Al Ahli, the situation could evolve before the transfer window closes.