European clubs preparing for battle over Brazilian Firmino

Some of Europe’s top clubs are preparing for a summer battle over Brazilian midfielder Firmino.

Firmino has risen to fame in the Bundesliga this season while playing for Hoffenheim and scored the winning goal in Brazil’s 1-0 win over Chile at the Emirates on Sunday.

Brazil manager Dunga thinks Firmino could play for any team in the world, and Thiago Silva believes the attacking midfielder is a “star” who he expects will be called up many more times for A Selecao.

Firmino was called up to the Brazilian national team in November 2014 and scored his first international goal against Austria in only his second game.

Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid have all been tracking the talented Brazilian and are keen on luring the player away from Hoffenheim in the summer.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has delivered a string of impressive performances since moving from Figueirense to Hoffenheim in 2011. This season his six goals and seven assists have helped steer the Bundesliga club to seventh place on the league table.

During his four seasons in Germany, Firmino has scored 38 goals in 133 appearances for Hoffenheim.

His current deal expires in 2017 and it has been reported Hoffenheim have slapped a £22 million price tag on the midfielder.