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Man Utd close in on £18m deal to beat Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea to Roberto Firmino
MANCHESTER UNITED have been cleared to sign Roberto Firmino from Hoffenheim in an £18million deal, according to reports.
Roberto Firmino is close to a move to Manchester United
Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been linked with a move for the Brazilian in the past.
But reports suggest that United have won the race for the player.
Basically you have to expect a transfer abroad.
According to Brazilian website Sambafoot, recent quotes from Firmino's agent Roger Wittman can be taken as confirmation that a move to United is close.
Wittman recently said: "I don't rule out that he'll stay at Hoffenheim, and I also don't rule out that he'll stay in Bundesliga.
"But basically you have to expect a transfer abroad."
Firmino signed a new contract with Hoffenheim in March but Wittman confirmed at that time that his client was free to leave this summer "should Hoffenheim agree a transfer fee with a club."
And the Bundesliga outfit's CEO Peter Rettig refused to rule out a departure last week, saying: "Robert has turned into a top player here.
"He became a Brazil international. But I am not aware of any offer. We'll have to wait and see."