Atletico Madrid are plotting a summer transfer move for Liverpool star Roberto Firmino, if Joao Felix moves on.

Los Rojiblancos are prepared to let Felix join Chelsea on a permanent deal, ahead of the 2022/23 season, with the Blues impressed by his start to life at Stamford Bridge.

If Felix does move on to the Premier League giants in the coming months, Atletico will be in the market for a replacement, with Firmino available on a potential free transfer.

The Brazilian schemer is out of contract at Anfield in June, and the 31-year-old is rumoured to be ready to reject a 12-month extension, due to a lack of first team action.

Reports from the Daily Mirror claim Liverpool are ready to part ways with club icon Firmino, due to Cody Gakpo’s progress.

As a free agent, he would represent a bargain signing for Atletico, with the Felix fee reinvested elsewhere in the squad.

The Sun: Al Nassr ‘approach Busquets to join Ronaldo’

AL NASSR have reportedly approached Barcelona legend Sergio Busquets about a summer free transfer, in which the midfielder would join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.

 

Busquets, 34, is out of contract at the Camp Nou this summer and has been linked with a move away from Spain.

 

Inter Miami is one of the teams being touted as a potential destination.

But according to Fabrizio Romano, Al Nassr has joined the race for the iconic holding midfielder and made an approach.

A summer move would see Busquets become the second high-profile European player to join Al Nassr in the space of a year.

Ronaldo, a five-time Champions League and Ballon d'Or winner, completed a free transfer late last year after his Manchester United contract was terminated.

Busquets and Ronaldo played together for many years in Spain, but on opposite teams.

The pair shared the pitch for many El Clasicos between Barca and Real Madrid.

Romano goes on to state that the 2010 World Cup winner, Busquets, must decide whether he wants to stay on and captain Barca or embark on a new adventure.

Busquets would be paid handsomely in the Middle East.

Xavi, Barcelona's manager and Busquets' former midfield partner, believes the Spaniard is a vital cog in the Catalan giants' success.

Xavi's men lead LaLiga and are on course to dethrone Real Madrid as Spanish champions.

The Barca boss said about Busquets' future last month: "For me, he is a transcendental footballer for the team, vital for the dressing room."

"An example of sacrifice, of leadership." He is priceless.

"From a football point of view, he is the equilibrium of the team; he commands his team-mates."

"When he is there and he is not there, you notice it."

"There is a before and after in terms of the defensive pivot with and without Busi."

"We will always see him as an example, as a mold." This one has similarities to Busi, but this one does not.